Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Hebrews 1:14

One of the prominent features of the birth of Christ was the appearance and ministry of angels. While we read of the work of the angels elsewhere in Scripture, their appearances to mankind are never as frequent as during those days associated with the incarnation of our Saviour.

In Hebrews 1 the Apostle Paul grants us a unique theological insight into the role that the angels perform with respect to our salvation. They are ministering or serving spirits, doing the work of God for those who are the heirs of salvation. Therefore the angels literally serve us, ministering to our needs. While we may never see them (although we may have because there are those who entertained angels unknowingly, Hebrew 13:2), nevertheless they are ever present, supporting, guiding and protecting.

The angels minister to those who are part of Christ’s body; ultimately their service for us is for Jesus’ sake. Therefore it should be no surprise that they were present at all the key moments of our Lord’s earthly ministry; the temptation (Matthew 4:11), Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), the resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8) and the ascension (Acts 1:10); but by far the most notable appearance of angels took place at the time of His birth. As they ministered to Him and for Him they did so for us, because they served the one who accomplished redemption, through which we are saved. As we consider the role of the angels at the birth of Christ, we are given insight into the continual work that they fulfil for us.

THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS

Gabriel was present in the home of Mary as she awaited her marriage to Joseph, her betrothed:

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Luke 1:26-28

An angel appeared to Joseph as he slept:

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream

Matthew 1:20

The choir of angels appeared in the heavens on the night that Jesus was born:

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid…And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Luke 1: 9,13

Jospeh was visited by an angel in a further dream before and after the stay in Egypt:

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream…But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt

Matthew 1:13,

From these incidents we learn that God visits us to our sleep, if not in dreams, through His angels which watch over us. They are in the sky above and the earth around, tirelessly performing their work of ministry.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee,
to keep thee in all thy ways.

Psalms 91:11

Such is the love and care of God towards His saints labouring here below, that He sends the most glorious attendants on His throne to minster unto Him in taking care of them

John Owen; Exposition of Hebrews

The angels of God are pure, devoted, gracious, kind, swift in accomplishing the will of God:

Scripture everywhere stresses the holiness of the good angels, their unqualified surrender to God’s will, as with solemn and rapturous adoration they stand in his awesome presence, instantly ready to carry out his orders. “Ready to do thy will O Lord”, is ever their motto.

William Hendriksen

THE PRESENTATION BY THE ANGELS

These angels in their approach to men and women during our Saviour’s nativity had special words from God to convey.

Gabriel’s mission was to announce the conception of Christ in the womb to Mary, to explain and to comfort the fearful young woman.

The announcement is amongst the greatest proclamations that mortal ears had ever heard:

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end

Luke 1:31-33

Mary understandably was bemused and frightened by such an astonishing announcement. The shock, the fear of what people would think, anxiety regarding her wedding plans flooded her soul. Therefore words of explanation and comfort were required for this hour.

The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and 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. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:35-37

As the story unfolded the truth became deeper and more remarkable; conceived supernaturally by the power of the Spirit, giving birth to the Son of God, because God can do anything. This brought Mary to a place of humble submission; “the handmaid of the Lord”. She was a young woman blessed indeed, highly favoured not above, but among women.

Joseph too received guidance through the witness of angels, as he slept. Sorely troubled that Mary was going to give birth to a child, not understanding what was happening, yet attempting to deal with matter in a discreet manner – Jospeh was in a quandary. But with the message from the angel Jospeh awoke a different man completely, the fears and uncertainty were gone because the child would be the Saviour.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew 1:19-25

Peter recorded the words, which were echoed by Charles Wesley, that angels are mesmerised by God’s plan of salvation, in sending His Son.

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

1st Peter 1:12

Tis mystery all! The Immortal des!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine

Charles Wesley

Gabriel, who announced the birth, this angel who appeared to Joseph, the angels who filled the night sky on the Bethlehem hills were overwhelmed. How can this be? That God should humble His Son, sending Him into this world of sinners!

The presentation by the heavenly host was the most astonishing of all. Their words were neither for Joseph nor Mary but they were for the whole world, truth which is as relevant today:

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men.

Luke 2:14

THE PROTECTION THROUGH THE ANGELS

These heavenly creatures protected the child Jesus from the outset, by commanding Jospeh to leave Judea as Herod’s soldiers were about to embark on a killing spree, searching out little boys:

…behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Matthew 2:13-15

Following the instructions of their Master, these creatures are constantly watching over Christ, for our benefit, so that He will accomplish our salvation. They warn, guide, prevent and protect.

This opens our eyes to the constant care that God exercises towards us. There is no difficulty that He has not foreseen, there is no problem; for which He does not have the solution; providence shields and directs every step of the journey, we are never alone.