But the angel said to them ’Do not be afraid, for see... I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people!’ Luke 2:10

In my lounge window (one of the Advent Calendar Window Trail), you can see an angel and a girl called Mary. It depicts the scene which Luke speaks of, when the angel Gabriel came to Mary, telling her that she was the chosen one, and that she would bear a son who was to bring salvation to all humankind. She responded with openness and hope declaring that she was the handmaiden of the Lord.

As well as joy, angels bring hope. Hope of God’s presence, and hope of God’s intervention in the midst of darkness. Angels don’t always speak of light, hope and joy, however. Sometimes their message is one of judgement: judgement of rulers who Lord it over the most in need, who believe that they can do anything they like and who are, themselves, above the law.

Reading the gospel of Luke chapters 1 and 2, it’s difficult not to notice that angels feature prominently. They are messengers from God, speaking directly to ordinary people in particular situations. An angel appeared to Zachariah, to Mary, to the shepherds, who were all going about their everyday business. Not only did they appear alone, but also as a heavenly host, singing praises to God in the highest.

Twice we hear the angels saying to different people, or groups of people, “Do not fear”. Whenever they appear in this most amazing unfolding of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus, their message is one of joy and hope and salvation. But the beautiful thing is that this good news, this gospel, is to involve ordinary people like us, not just the powerful or important, or the heavenly hosts. God includes and involves us in the story and telling of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

A poem by Ian Adams in his Advent book, Some Small Heaven, is called ‘The Hope of Angels. It goes like this:

 Zechariah was struck dumb.

The consequence, the story goes, of his inability to

believe the angel.

When we ignore the angels of holy possibility

we lose the ability to speak hope and salvation

into a demanding world.

You lean into the great story each day.

It supports the weight of your questions,

resounds to your experience.

Hold too the sacred possibility traced by the angels.

The extraordinary within the ordinary,

The voice of the holy in all things.

And so may you, with angels, speak of hope.

PRAYER WORD: with angels, hope

May your Christmas be one of joy and hope in the one who brings light in our darkness, joy in our sadness, and hope in our bleakness. Amen.

The Rev. Wendy Pagden