Deliverers of Good News
Not the baseball team in California.
What would you do if you actually saw an angel?
Angels aren’t really on top of the theological discussion list much these days. Other than cloud formations and near-miss accidents, people don’t credit them with much lately. Angels are featured heavily in scripture, though not as much in Christian theology. Belief in them doesn’t seem to be a prerequisite for salvation and certainly not for Christian living and action.
Angel is a word derived from evangelism. There are a number of layers to this, but in essence, an angel is a messenger of good news.
…in that sense, perhaps there are many angels around.
For Zechariah, this angel did indeed deliver good news, but it will take a bit for it to settle in.
Luke 1:11-13
An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John.
Malachi 3:1
Look, I am sending my messenger who will clear the path before me; suddenly the Lord whom you are seeking will come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you take delight is coming, says the Lord of heavenly forces.
Prayer
God,
Make me a deliverer of good news. I’m sure no angel, but I would like to be one who brings people goodness, either in word or in deed. This is what the Christmas season can be all about, right?
Honestly, Lord, you know how negative my mind can be quite often. I’m sure I still take in too much of the “news.” And I am a product of Generation X for sure - the best of critical idealists…even if I rarely let it leave my mouth. But I’m sure it affects my heart.
So help me, God: Show me good news. Wake my eyes unto the goodness all around. And let me be a carrier of blessing to the little environments of which I’m a part.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.