The Angels view of Christmas: I Stand Before God

We have been taking a look at the Eyewitnesses to Christmas, as we’ve covered Mary, Joseph and Elisabeth and Zacharias.  What better view of heaven than those witnesses that had the full view from both heaven and earth.  That of the angels.

An angel is a spiritual being acting as an agent, attendant or messenger of God.  Often they are represented in human form and with wings, although scripture does not provide this description.

A couple of things we know about angels from scripture:

An angel appeared

• “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16
• “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
• “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly.” Hebrews 12:22
• “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” Psalm 91:11
• “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” Matthew 16:27
• “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

Let’s begin at the beginning of the story.  Zechariah has entered the Holy of Holies to offer a sacrifice when an angel appears before him.

The angel appeared to Zechariah but he did not believe him

The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.  {Luke 1:19, ASV}

The meaning of the name Gabriel is God is my strength.

Gabriel first appears in the Old Testament to the prophet Daniel.  In Daniel 8 and 9, he explains the visions to Daniel that he is having.

Notice that Gabriel states that he stands in the presence of God.  Revelations 8:2 tells us that seven angels stand before God.  From his words in Luke, Gabriel appears to be one of those seven.

Gabriel has seen the face of God and stood before the most holy of holies.

Gabriel goes on to tell Zechariah that he had been sent there to speak to him.  God specifically sent Gabriel to speak to Zechariah and to share a message with him.

Zacharias before the angel

Finally, in this verse, Gabriel shares that he is there to tell good news.  Gabriel goes on to share that good news.  Zechariah and his wife will have a son and should name him John.  Zechariah does not believe him, because of their advanced age, and is struck mute.

In the King James Version, good news is worded as glad tidings.  A baby is always good news or glad tidings.

But, in this appearance Gabriel confirms that there is a God, he has messengers and he does appear from time to time to speak with people.

One day we will all stand before the Lord and answer for our decisions and actions.  How will you answer when you stand before the Lord?

**Photos courtesy of FreeBibleImages.org