The Songs Tell the Story: A Family Advent DevotionalSample

The Song about Electrified Shepherds

The church talks about angels more often during the Christmas season. Angels played an important role in the Christmas story. James Montgomery wanted us to sing about the Christmas angels when he wrote “Angels from the Realms of Glory.”

It’s impossible to imagine what it was like for the shepherds when, in the middle of the night, the sky was illuminated by the glory of the heavenly host. We live in a time when bright lights are everywhere. In fact, it is rare to ever experience complete darkness.

Shepherds lit fires at night, hoping to scare away wolves. Shepherds had the stars and the moon that gave some light during the night. But they had never, in all their lives, seen light like they experienced when the “angels from the realms of glory” appeared. God invented electricity a long time before Benjamin Franklin flew his kite!

So, what are angels doing today?

Angels are messengers and ministers from God. But what do angels look like? How do we know if we have seen one?

I’ve been asked a lot of questions about angels, and there is one thing I am certain of: angels exist. Jesus spoke of angels and believed in angels. We should too.

Billy Graham wrote a book called Angels, and it is my favorite book on the subject. Someone asked Dr. Graham if angels were real. He said, “Yes, angels are real, just as real as you and I are. Although they are largely unseen by us, they exist in great numbers. The Bible speaks of ‘thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly’ (Hebrews 12:22). When Jesus’ birth was announced to the shepherds outside Bethlehem, ‘a great company of the heavenly host appeared . . . praising God’ (Luke 2:13).”

God created angels and uses them to serve him, speak for him, and bring him glory.

One day, I was at a stoplight, and my eyes were drawn to a man holding a cardboard sign. I always try to pray and ask God what to do. That day, I just knew, in my head and heart, that I was supposed to give.

When I pulled up next to him and looked him in the eyes, they were the bluest eyes I’d ever seen. He smiled and said, “God bless you.”

I drove off, knowing God had blessed. I’m not certain I saw an angel that day, but, one day in heaven, I’m going to ask! I just know the moment was special. I still think about it today.

Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

I pray God will send his angels to you this Christmas season.