I walked in and saw this sign, “Believe in the Magic of Christmas.” I pondered that sign all week. Do I? Do I believe in the magic of Christmas? Do I believe the Angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and then to Mary? Can I even picture in my mind this fantastical event? What was it like for the shepherds to see an Angel announce Jesus’ birth and to hear the Angel choir sing, “Glory to God in the Highest.” I call these “magical events” that first Christmas, but is magic the right word I’m even looking for?
The definition of magic – the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces. So yeah by this definition my Awesome Powerful God did use mysterious and supernatural forces to change the course of all mankind and specifically Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph’s lives. –
For the days remaining till Christmas let’s look at the players of that first magical Christmas.
Enter Gabriel the messenger Angel.
No that’s not him. Gabriel is not your grandmother’s ordinary Christmas decoration. My angel Christmas tree topper is not the Angel Daniel saw by the river Ulai who invoked fear in him.
”While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there stood before me someone who appeared to be a man. I heard a human voice calling from the middle of the Ulai: “Gabriel, explain the vision to this man.” So he approached where I was standing; when he came near, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision refers to the time of the end.”“
Daniel 8:15-17 HCSB
This same Angel came to the priest Zechariah father of John the Baptist and invoked the same type of fear.
”At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear. The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.“
Luke 1:10-12, 19 HCSB
And again the Angel Gabriel was sent to a virgin named Mary in Nazareth.
”In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”“
Luke 1:26-28 HCSB
Gabriel’s name means strength of God. The Message Bible describes Gabriel as The Sentinel of God. The Voice Bible says of Gabriel, “The Messenger who inhabits God’s Presence.
When Gabriel announced himself to Daniel and Zechariah, his very next words were, “Do not be afraid.” Gabriel’s appearance was powerful, awe inspiring, and even disturbing. It invoked fear and terror fell upon them. Daniel even fell facedown before Gabriel. Can powerful and awe inspiring, and also kind and compassionate be true in one person? Can both characteristics be part of one entity. I hear compassion in Gabriel’s words. “Do not fear,” “Rejoice favored woman!” “Son of man, understand” He is called a messenger Angel for a reason. He was delivering an important message from God Most High and Gabriel needed them to hear it and believe it. Believe in this first Christmas magic.
Let’s turn our thoughts not to the recipients of the message, but to the messenger himself. He was simply obeying THE CREATOR’S commands, but did he ever wander? Did he ever question his COMMANDER’S orders?
”Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated. They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.“
1 Peter 1:10-12 HCSB
Gabriel got to play a part in delivering that first Christmas message. Peter tells us in these verses, “Angels desire to look into the salvation of mankind.” Gabriel’s desire was fulfilled as he flew to the Ulai to meet Daniel, as he approached Zechariah in the Temple of the MOST HIGH GOD, and as he appeared to the young Jewish lady, Mary, as she was preparing for her wedding.
It is hard to imagine these events, but as we teach our two year olds in Bible Study, “Absolutely true, Absolutely true, everything the Bible says is absolutely true!”
”For now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.“
1 Corinthians 13:12 HCSB
Only Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit can give us sight into that unseen but oh so real realm of Angels and God’s throne room. In John chapter 9 Jesus heals a man born blind. May we say and worship as this once blind man came to realize:
”“I believe, Lord! ” he said, and he worshiped Him.“
John 9:38 HCSB