Over 2000 years ago a big event rocked the world of the Israelites. For over 400 years, the people of Israel had not heard directly from God. No miracles. No prophets. They were in exile from the promised land and oppressed by every government that ruled over them. They yearned for the Messiah that had been promised to them.

Then the angels started to appear. First to Zechariah, then to Mary and Joseph. God was stirring things up. Finally, the Messiah they were waiting for was born in the quiet of the night. The people slept through the biggest event of their lives. Except for a group of shepherds tending their sheep in the fields. We read their story in Luke 2:

And in the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Angels announced the birth of the Messiah to the world. A wonderful celebration occurred in Heaven and on Earth as the Redeemer of all mankind was brought into the human realm.

Today, we don’t see Angels as often as they did in Bible times. We hear stories of Angels appearing in dire situations or helping someone out. But the job of announcing Jesus as our Redeemer is no longer their primary job. It is OUR job!

Before Jesus went back to Heaven, He commissioned us to be His messengers on the Earth. Matthew 28:19 said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  These are our marching orders. We are the new “Angels” of our time. We are the messengers of God. It is our duty as followers of Christ to proclaim who He is and that He is coming back soon. The way I read and interpret Jesus’ words, this isn’t a choice–it’s a command for us to follow.

Are you up to the challenge? Are you willing to do what Jesus has commanded you?

I urge you today to become the messenger that Jesus has commanded you to be. Tell others about Jesus and that He is returning soon. Bring as many people into the Kingdom of God as you possibly can. Jesus is returning soon. Be prepared and be the messenger you are called to be.