DAY 3: And the Angel Said ‘Do Not Be Afraid’
“Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.’” – Luke 1: 8-17 ESV
Archangel Gabriel’s Annunciation to Zechariah
My Thoughts:
There are many appearances of angels in Jesus’ blessed life. In the story of Christ’s birth, an angel, Gabriel—a messenger from God– appears to Zechariah, a priest who is Elizabeth’s husband and Mary’s cousin. And it’s interesting to note what most angels say upon appearing to people. The first thing most say is “Do not be afraid.” I think this is very telling. Angels must be terrifyingly awesome creatures to behold.
The angel Gabriel also appears to Mary in Nazareth, to Joseph in a dream, and to shepherds in the fields the night of Jesus’ birth. Angels are very much a part of the nativity story. And when you think about it, they must have been so excited to finally be able to tell the good news to so many people. And this can be seen in so many Christmas Carols—from Angels We Have Heard on High to It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. And consider the chorus from Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and how it expresses this harkening.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
May the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
