An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Some people say they’ve seen angels. I believe they have. Angels bring messages at exactly the point in time that you need them.

The God I know is more than happy to provide us with messages to help us along the way, especially when the need is great.

So when people tell me they spoke with an angel when they were lost and in a dangerous part of town, I believe them. Or when they are feeling all alone. Or when they went to hospital and a doctor, a nurse… or the anaesthetist for the procedure turns out to be an angel with an important message – I say, believe them.

And not only believe that it’s an angel, believe the message that the angel brings. Because 2000 years later, their role in the cosmos has not changed.

They’re still bringing messages from God.

The shepherds received the message that the Messiah had been born. That is some message and not to be ignored.

But maybe we’re more familiar with the supernatural in fantasy or sci-fi texts. Think Princess Leia holograms. (At least, that’s the first thing in pop culture that jumps into my head). In those texts, other worldly messengers are considered normal.

However, whether in texts or real life, these messages should be obeyed and will be proven true, if they are from God. That’s why the angels set up a test for their message. They know it will prove true when enacted upon. So they say:

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

A sign to look out for to prove the message is true. They will find a baby lying in a manger if they heed the message.

This makes me think of C S Lewis’ The Silver Chair in which there are four signs that the characters must follow in order to set free the prince. The final sign bearing the most weight:

“The lost person will ask you to do something in Aslan’s name, and you must obey him.”

AI tells me the following: ‘Despite missing the first three signs, the heroes’ adherence to the fourth, even when it seemed insane, led to their success and the rescue of Prince Rilian from the Lady of the Green Kirtle’s enchantment.’

At this point, you may be thinking this is all a little too fantasy for me and not so biblical. But the shepherds received a sign. The Bible is full of signs. The first half of the gospel of John is often called ‘The Book of Signs.’

This isn’t a fantasy thing. This is a Jesus thing.

The shepherds are given a message. Then they’re given a sign. Do they act upon it?

They do tomorrow.

Yours quoting Princess Leia,

Alison