Why would one choose to place an angel on top of their Christmas tree? In the nativity narratives found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, an angel or angels play important roles. First, in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 verses 26-27, we find this record: “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 whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.” An angel informs Mary that she is with child by the Holy Spirit.

Then, in the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1, an angel visits Joseph after he learns that his betrothed Mary is with child. He had decided to divorce her. Then, in verses 20-21 we read, “But just when he resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins.”

Then, in the Gospel of Luke in Chapter 2 Verses 9 and 10, we read that an angel appears to shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night and tells them not to be afraid because the angel brings them good news of great joy for all the people. The angel tells the shepherds where they can find this child and how they will know this is the child.

To see the complete role that the angel/angels played in the Nativity story, the reader is invited to read Matthew 1:18-25, 2:13-15, 19-23; Luke 1:26-38, and 2:8-14 throughout the season of Advent and especially on those days when the story is one about an angel as the tree topper. As you will discover throughout these pages an angel is used twice as often as a star for a tree topper on the Christmas trees of members and friends of our congregation.

Prayer

Blessed Lord, we thank You that You used angels as messengers and we ask You to help us to be “angel like” in sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. Amen.