ANGELS ARE IN CHARGE

Angels played a big part in the Christmas story. Have you ever noticed that in the Bible, the first message angels bring is to “Fear not!” The word “angel” means messenger. These messengers are sent from God to mankind to give us important guidance and comfort. The beloved 91st Psalm tells us that “He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”

Christian Science defines angels, in part, as spiritual intuitions, as God’s thoughts passing to man. God’s thoughts are always present and available when we need them. The Christmas story is so precious partly because of the model for guidance that it provides for each of us. Angels were conspicuously present at each turn and had charge over all their ways, informing the participants in the advent of Jesus of the part they were to play in the unfolding events. It was because each one listened and chose to follow their godly intuitions that we have any Christmas story to celebrate.

Mary started the events rolling by deeply pondering and cherishing the messages she received about the promised coming of the Messiah. Of course, the angel Gabriel began his communication by saying, “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” She may well have been contemplating the beloved 91st Psalm when the angel appeared to her. That Psalm begins, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Thinking of herself and her homeland, Israel, under that shadow of the Almighty, the angel  affirmed that indeed  “the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”* This comforting message began as an intuition and grew to encompass the astounding life of Christ Jesus.

Joseph then had to be brought into the story. While pondering how to respond to this new message to his betrothed, he, himself was visited by angels that told him not to fear (of course) taking Mary to become his wife. Angels continued to guide Joseph in keeping the family safe when Herod threatened to destroy the Christly infant. Mary didn’t have to do a lot of explaining. Joseph had his own angels. This model of trusting family members to have their own angels whenever big questions appear, can serve all of us well.

Angels announced to watchful shepherds the advent of the new Messiah, filling them with rejoicing. And angels guided the wise men to bring gifts that would support the small family as they traveled to Egypt and back, and to avoid revealing the babe’s location to the waiting Herod.

Angels play a big part in everyone’s story, if we will let them. God’s messages hover around all of us. We can get better each day at discerning them and trusting their guidance. The Bible warns that we have sometimes “entertained angels unawares.”**

Mary Baker Eddy wrote often on this topic and made a comforting observation,

“When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings,
nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but
we know their presence by the love they create in our
hearts. Oh, may you feel this touch, — it is not the
clasping of hands, nor a loved person present; it is more
than this: it is a spiritual idea that lights your path!” ***

Listen for those spiritual intuitions. Recognize that they come from God. Entertain them, follow their guidance, feel the love they create in your heart, listen to their song of rejoicing. May the Christmas story be more alive to you this year than ever because you, too, have angels in charge of you, saying “Fear not!” and guiding you in all your ways.

*Luke 1:35 ** Heb 13:2 ***Miscellaneous Writings page 306