My family has loved doing advent devotionals for years, so I decided to write my own. I pray it blesses your family as much as it’s blessed mine.

You can purchase the whole book in print or in an ebook format on Amazon. You can download a printable set of ornaments here or draw or make your own!

Day 23: Angels Proclaim the Arrival of Christ

Picture / Ornament: Angel

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14 Hebrews 1:1-4

Song: Angels We Have Heard on High

God used angels in many of the stories we have read about. Angels are God’s messengers. God spoke to Abraham through His angels. Jacob saw a vision of angels ascending and descending on the ladder to heaven. God sent angels to go before the Israelites and to defend the Israelites during their battles. Mary and Joseph both heard from God’s angels.

Imagine you were one of those shepherds out in a field taking care of your sheep. It was an ordinary night when suddenly a great light appeared before you and you heard an angel speaking to you. What would you think? What would you do? Would you be afraid?

Apparently, these shepherds were afraid because the angel told them not to be afraid. This angel was not here to condemn them or to tell them about something terrible that was about to happen. No, this angel had good news for them, good news of great joy! Today in Bethlehem a new baby had been born.

Have your parents ever had a special meeting with you to tell you some important news?

I remember a very special Christmas fourteen years ago when my husband and I told our three children that we had some important news for them. It was the day after Christmas and our children had already opened all of their gifts. They were confused. What was going on? Was something wrong? No, something was very right! I was expecting a baby! Our family was going to have a new baby, but our new baby wasn’t like this new baby that the angel told the shepherds about.

This baby that was born in Bethlehem was the long-awaited Savior who had come to save the world! This baby was unlike any baby who had ever been born or any baby who would ever be born. This baby was totally GOD and totally MAN in one! This baby was God in human flesh who had come to live among men.

God used these angels to be His messengers, to tell the good news to these shepherds. God wanted the shepherds to recognize the baby when they saw Him. This very special baby, God’s only Son, had been born in a very simple place, a stable. This very special baby had been wrapped in very simple cloths, swaddling cloths, and laid in a very simple bed, an animal feeding trough full of hay called a manger. These very special messengers, angels, had told very simple men, shepherds, the good news of the Savior come into the world.

Today is a perfect day to thank God for sending His very special messengers to tell this good news about a very special baby named Jesus who came to bring peace on earth and good will to men. Remember … Christmas is all about Jesus!