The Angel of the Lord

Four hundred years took place between the written accounts in the Old Testament and the New Testament. God’s people had been disobedient, falling deeper into sin, grumbling about life, and worshipping other gods. During these years, God was silent. The people saw no miracles and heard no new prophecies. The silence was broken by a visitor from heaven: an angel of the Lord.

An angel first appeared to Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband. His opening words to him were, “Do not be afraid.” (Luke 1:13). The angel announced that his wife, though older in age, would have a baby named John who would prepare the way for the Lord. The angel’s name was Gabriel, and this baby would grow up to be John the Baptist. Months after his first visit, Gabriel then appeared before a young woman named Mary, Elizabeth’s cousin. He also told her to not be afraid, calming the immediate fear that would come upon his appearance. Mary was going to be married to Joseph, but before their wedding, the angel said that Mary would become pregnant with the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:30). Joseph didn’t think he should still marry Mary until an angel of the Lord visited him in a dream and told him about God’s plan. He also told Joseph to not be afraid to step into the role God had planned for Him (Matthew 1:20). Though it would be hard for Joseph, he decided to obey God, marry Mary, and be Jesus’ adoptive, earthly father. 

Then on the night of Jesus’ birth, an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds. He told them to not be afraid. He spoke the good news that God’s people had been longing to hear: Christ the Lord had come. The baby—the Messiah—would be found lying in the manger, a feeding trough for animals. He would grow up to feed His people spiritually as they flocked to Him to listen to His words. The King came to prepare His kingdom. 

This news is what God’s people had been waiting to hear for thousands of years. The angels carried that news to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. They were the first to know. The angel directed the shepherds to go to find the baby who would change the world.