A Christmas Devotion: Give an Angel a Job--Live Forever

By Desiree Glass

This time of year I’m sure you’re caught up in a multitude of maddening activities—everything from hosting Christmas parties to shopping for oodles of gifts.  I know, because so am I.

And when you’re traipsing through the mall on a quest to find that perfect gift, do you ever hear the piped in Christmas music?  I’m sure you do, because so do I.

Do you hear what I hear?  The First Noel?  Hark the Herald Angels Sing?

Yeah, you hear it.  But what did the angel say?  What did the herald angels sing?

The word hark means to listen attentively.  Have you actually listened to the lyrics?  Or have you just mindlessly mumbled the tune?  Have the lyrics been drowned out by the noise that surrounds you?  Chatting customers.  Crying children. Savvy sales clerks striking a sale.

Or is the noise in your head?  Don’t forget the scarf for Sarah—and the bracelet for Bekah.  Gotta pick up more lights for the tree—and eggnog for our Christmas Eve celebration.  And I can’t forget more wrapping paper.  Oh, do I have enough money?!  And I’ve got to get my Christmas cards in the mail—and write my Christmas greeting (you know, the annual Christmas bring-you-up-to-date newsletter).

I know that noise is in my head, and it can certainly take precedence over anything some angel may have said—or sang.  But should it?  After all, what started all this celebration?  Why the Christmas greetings?

Well, we know when it started. Over two thousand years ago. And according to Luke, it seems it was an angel who started the greetings.  All with God’s orders, of course.

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

            “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:26-38)

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Do you hear what I hear?  A song, a song…high above the tree…with a voice as big as the sea...with a voice as big as the sea. 


Mary heard.  Mary hearkened.  A voice called to her.  And she answered.  Is a voice calling you?  Do you hear it?  Hark!


Luke’s story continued,

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

It seems that Bethlehem was a bustling town.  Many had gathered and perhaps waited in long lines to register.  They were weary from traveling.  Children cried. Cousins chatted.  Donkeys brayed.

Long lines at the register.  Weary.  Chaos and noise.  Sound familiar?


Did the weary travelers know that a miracle was about to take place in the Little Town of Bethlehem?  Did they know they were on the cusp of The First Noel? 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 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.” (Luke 2:8-12)

Have you heard the good news?  A Savior has been born.  God’s ultimate gift—wrapped  in swaddling clothes.  For you.  Hark!  Listen with your heart.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14)

Peace on earth and mercy mild…God and sinners reconciled.


Do you believe it?  Do you believe God sent Jesus to reconcile the world to Him, to make a way for sinners to inherit the gift of eternal life?  I do.  And it is my prayer that you may know how deep and wide God’s love is for you.


This time of year you may see it printed on Christmas greeting cards, “Believe.”  Or perhaps you read, “I believe in Santa.”  Maybe it says, “I believe in the magic of the season.”  But do you believe in the reason for the season? 


If you believe, then open your heart to receive the gift.  Receive His gift of forgiveness, His gift of salvation today.


Then rejoice in your new life!  Jesus said that He came to bring life and life more abundantly (John 10:10).  Rejoice in abundant life!


Know this.  When you ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and ask Him to come into your heart, there is a great celebration in heaven.   Yes, it seems the angels are responsible for celebrations—Christmas and otherwise.  Rejoice!

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:6-7)

During these economic times when many are losing their jobs and filing for bankruptcy, we may fret over our own finances, wondering if we’ll have enough to buy Christmas gifts.  Just remember that the best gift is free.  And when you hearken your heart to receive God’s perfect gift, you get a bonus.  A personal bodyguard!  That’s right!  There’s a reason those angels are rejoicing when a sinner comes to repentance.  They get a job! 

Angels are spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. (Hebrews 1:14)

You see, even angels are looking for jobs.  Give one a job and live forever!  Now that’s something to rejoice over!  Lift up your voice and sing!  Gloria in excelsis Deo!

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Hear – Hark – Believe – Receive - Rejoice

Check out this animated Christmas card by Jacquie Lawson--a beautiful accompaniment to my devotion!