Angels

Luke 1:19 NKJV

And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.

Angels are real, tangible entities and are massively involved in the incarnation of Jesus.

Gabriel, the Lord's chosen messenger angel, self indentifies and tells Zacharias that he stands in the Presence of God.

This Gabriel appears as a man - the same angel first mentioned in Daniel 8:16:

Daniel 8:15-16 NKJV

Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. [16] And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision."

Whenever he appears in the Bible he looks like a man - an awesome one at that - inspiring Godly fear - not a chubby little being with wings!

Gabriel is always sent on a foretelling mission. To Daniel he interprets the vision of "the time of the end"; to Zacharias he proclaims the birth of John the Baptist.

John was the one promised to prepare the way for the Messiah:

Isaiah 40:3-5 NKJV

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. [4] Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; [5] The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Of course, most famously, Gabriel is sent to Mary, to tell her that she will be the mother of the Messiah.

Jesus in His weak humanity needed help from an angel in the Garden of Gethsemane:

Luke 22:43 NKJV

Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

Be aware that angels are constantly on Godly missions even today.

It isn't wrong to ask the Lord to send ministering angels to help and protect in our lives.

Note what Jesus said before going to the Cross:

Matthew 26:53 NKJV

Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?

Remember, you never know if you may have encountered an angel as you extend your kindness to a stranger:

Hebrews 13:2 NKJV

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

So, as you place a pretty "angel" on the Christmas tree - remember it is not the Biblical version.

Be inspired knowing that the Lord has His guardian and ministering angels on duty in your life today!

Matthew 18:10 NKJV

"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.