"Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them" (Luke 2.9 REB). That must have been quite a shock and Luke's record gives that impression. It is not really surprising that there was a lot of angelic activity about that time. First Zechariah, then Mary and Joseph; the shepherds and the magi were all visited by a heavenly messenger. Sometimes it was in a dream, sometimes a bodily presence. The Greek word angelos could apply to a human messenger but it is clear that the visitor to Zechariah and Mary was someone rather special (Luke 1. 19,26). The most stupendous event in history was about to take place; the Son of God was about to enter this world as a human being. The extraordinary thing is that there was not much more dramatic activity.

No amount of 21^st Century explaining away will account for what those people saw and heard. There will be those of course who are under the impression that contemporary thinking is so much superior to that of two thousand years ago and that men and women of the 1^st century were not capable of observing accurately or thinking carefully. In both respects, the writer of the third gospel and the history of the early Christian Church in Acts, was equal to any scientific writer of modern times. More important to those who believe God's Word, the Holy Spirit led such writers to proclaim the truth of the Gospel. What is there about human civilization that makes anyone believe that 21^st century people are so superior to what has gone before?

Why Angels? The Creator of the Universe made His presence felt and His will known to people by various means appropriate to each one. Three angels visited Abraham concerning the coming of his son. He spoke to them as if he was speaking to God Himself. Moses had very special audiences with God but after that ordinary people could not look at him while his face was unveiled. Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road saw the risen Lord but was temporarily blinded. Was the glory of God too bright for unholy eyes? Were those who saw such splendid sights nearer to God's holiness than the rest of us? Has God drawn a veil over Himself to protect those who cannot endure His holiness? Why has there not been angelic appearances in recent times? Some will say that this has been an age of 'faith' and therefore we can't expect to see angels now. Were not men and women of old made right before God by faith? Some will say that throughout the history of Church there have been appearances by angels at critical times in the lives of God's people. Is it wise to deny that something has happened just because we have not seen it for ourselves?

It is clear from the Scriptures that those who trust God believe that there are angels, whether seen or unseen. Many have drawn real comfort amid the traumas of war, disease and famine, from the promise that God is a refuge of His people and that He said "he will charge his angels to guard you wherever you go". The Tempter's misuse of this text (Psalm 91.11 REB; Luke 4.10) has not reduced the value of the promise. For many it has been more than just a comfort; it has been a fact in their lives. Jesus warned "See that you do not despise one of these little ones; I tell you, they have their angels in heaven, who look continually on the face of my heavenly father." (Matt.17.10 REB). That was a very solemn thing to say and should put us on our guard against the possibility of hurting someone else.

Angels were just one of various ways in which God communicates with people here on Earth. Many Christians are aware that God speaks directly to their hearts and minds; others recognize His command to them through circumstances. There were times when He knew that it would be more effective to speak through a vision of some kind. Whichever way God sends a message, the touchstone to check is by reference to His Word, the Bible which 'speaks' with God's authority. We can accept that God is saying something to us because the message received agrees with what the Bible says. He will not contradict what He has already said. In times of great difficulty, it is important that God's people are assured that He is with them, as He was with Israel through the floods and the fire.

Due to the disobedience of human race in the 21^st century we live in 'perilous times'. How they have come about and what they betoken is not our present discussion. The anguish of ordinary folk in various environments across the world is sufficient to make it clear that these are turbulent, even terrifying days. There is little cause for one people or nation to blame another. All have sinned; perhaps the rich (nations) more than the poor. The Bible would seem to give that impression. Two things are important to those who claim to be God's people. One is that they should trust their Father in Heaven to permit only such circumstances as will be for their highest good. The other is that He will never forsake us or let us down. His angels are as watchful of our welfare as ever they have been of the Lord's people and that will be so till the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.

The Almighty, the Creator of the Universe, to whom the nations of the world are but the fine dust on the balance, has given command that His messengers should protect us. They provide just those things that will enable His children to reach the goal for the prize of the High Calling. There will be no skimping of the material, no rushing of the workmanship; there is no need to fear whether He is able to complete that which He has begun. He has all the time and skill He needs for the task in hand. Nor need we fear failure on our part if we love and trust Him. For that above all we must pray.

DN