This Advent season we’re reflecting on the traditional Christmas story from a unique vantage point—the angels who show up in every encounter.
The first time we meet an angel, it’s the announcement to Zechariah that he and his wife (in their old age) will bear a son (who will grow up to John the Baptist, the one who prepares the way for Jesus’ ministry).
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. (Luke 1:11-13)
Zechariah’s response is typical of most biblical encounters with angels—he is gripped by fear. Many centuries earlier, Daniel met this same angel Gabriel:
While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man. And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.” As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. (Daniel 8:15-17)
Would any of us want to be “touched” by this angel? God is unimaginably holy, and the angels who exist in God’s presence are holy. Angels are not heavenly buddies or divine social workers. They are mighty, awesome, and holy because they live in the presence of a holy God.
The angel Gabriel comes with wonderful news for Zechariah, but with it comes a call to faith and trust. Zechariah must risk believing and acting on something that sounds outlandish to him.
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can this be? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (Luke 1:18)
Zechariah’s question becomes our question also. We have our own “how can it be’s.”
- How can it be that resources will be divided fairly, rather than the rich getting richer and the poor dying for lack of bread and clean water?
- How can it be that diverse races or religions can ever live together in peace?
- How can it be that my husband could change?—My boss could change?—My church could change?—I could change?
In response to Zechariah’s lack of faith, the angel strikes him mute. Words are what we use to control our environment, to express our needs, to try to influence others’ perceptions of us, to occupy our minds. For nine months, Zechariah will have no words.
Silence is where we ponder our fragility, our mortality, our weaknesses, our sins. The angel Gabriel sends Zechariah on a nine-month silent retreat …waiting and pondering this awesome God who could send such an angel with such a promise.
Zechariah is a perfect poster child for the season of Advent. God is not a technology to make our lives a little easier. God is holy and is to be trusted and obeyed. Like Zechariah, Advent is a season to be silent and waiting…a time to look inward at our own lack of faith, and wait for God’s sure promise to come true in Jesus.
