ANGELS AT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

Angels at the birth of Jesus the Christ
"Angel activity always increases at times of great spiritual breakthrough in the kingdom of God." Christmas was just such a moment in history. At the time of the birth of Christ, the earth exploded with angel activity.

1. God sent angels to make announcements to all who took part in the birth of the Savior.

a) Gabriel the angel appeared to the priest Zacharias and told him: "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John" (Luke 1:13).

b) Gabriel was sent to Mary, Jesus' mother, to herald her as the woman chosen by God to birth His Son. "Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus." Luke 1:30-31

c) Joseph was reassured of Mary's virginal purity by an angel who appeared to him in a dream. "But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matt 1:20-21

d) An angel directed the shepherds to Bethlehem so they could find the stable and manger where Jesus was. The same angel along with countless others shouted God’s praise above the shepherds' field.

"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Luke 2:9-14

e) Angel activity increases when God releases His supernatural into the natural. ("For with God nothing will be impossible."

Luke 1:37) And angel ministry increases when our faith responds to the Word of God. "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14 "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. Luke 16:22 [it is the office of angels to minister to the heirs of salvation"—McGarvey -Four-Fold Gospel]

Immanuel - God with Us 1. "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Matt 1:23 (NKJV)

In the Bible, Jesus has many names that identify His character. One of those names is Immanuel, which means "God with us." Before Jesus came to earth, the Spirit of God resided in the temple. The people had to go through all sorts of rituals to become clean enough to go near Him. Now, as believers, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). When we welcome Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He is the one who cleanses us and actually makes His home in our hearts (Titus 2:11-14).

Isn’t it good to know that God is with us? He is closer than the very air that we breathe. His peace is always with us. His joy is always with us. His power is always with us, and His victory is always with us. The next time you feel alone, remember, you serve Immanuel — the God who is always with you!

"Till God in human flesh I see,
My thoughts no comfort find;
The holy, just, and sacred Three,
Are terror to my mind.

"But if Immanuel's face appears,
My hope, my joy, begins;
His grace removes my slavish fears,
His blood removes my sins."
[from an old hymn]

"Father in heaven, thank You for choosing to make Your home in me. Thank You for filling me with Your peace and joy. I bless You today knowing that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ name. Amen."