An Angel's View of the First Christmas

Seth looked at the figures with satisfaction.  The numbers all added up correctly.  Of course for the last four thousand years the numbers had always added up, but the angel still took satisfaction in a job well done.  Other angels thought his job was boring but to Seth numbers were the key to the universe.

"Seth!" The voice of Seth's friend Uriah drifted through the book stacks and boxes of archived papers. "Seth, you're going to earth with me."

Seth peeked around a book case to see Uriah trying to keep his wings tight into his body so he didn't disturb any of the boxes and books around him.  "Uriah?  Why would you think I am going with you to earth?  I have never been there.  I don't want to go there and only God Almighty could make me leave my work to go to that filthy place.  You know that."

Uriah smiled at his grouchy friend.  "And God Almighty has ordered me to take you to earth to see The King."

"The King? What are you talking about?"

Uriah shook his head good naturally and smiled. "You never do read The Angelic Herald do you?  You have no idea what is going on outside of your books."

Seth shook his head vigorously. "No! No! This is where I am happy.  What terrible news and sins are happening in the world are not for me.  What the angels do concerning Earth is of no concern of mine."

"Well you better brace yourself then Seth. God has gone down to Earth to live."

"WHAT?!"  Seth found himself gasping for air as his mind reeled with this preposterous news. "Why would God ever do such a thing?  Did he take an army of warrior angels to clean up that rabble?"

Uriah grinned.  "I think you better come with me and see for yourself."

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As Uriah and Seth landed in a small village laying beneath the night sky, Seth's eyes searched the surrounding area.

"I don't see God here!  Where is His Palace?  Where are His armies?  The only thing here is a bunch of common rabble and their ramshackled homes.  Is this some kind of Joke Uriah?"

Uriah simply took Seth's hand. "Come and see."

Uriah led Seth into a stable which stunk of sheep.  No one could see them as they quietly entered. In one corner Seth saw a young girl holding a bundle.  Her face glowed with love.  A man, apparently her husband, was looking down into the bundle with her.  He seemed very happy and relieved.

The two angels walked over closer and when Seth saw the baby's face he gasped. "It's Him!"

Uriah nodded as he gazed in amazement at the tiny baby boy.

Seth fell down with his face to the ground.  "OH LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!"

After a few moments Uriah helped Seth back up to his feet.  "The King has come down to earth as a baby."

Seth couldn't tear his eyes from the face of the baby king.  "But why?  Why would God, the King do such a foolish thing."

Immediately Seth slapped his hand over his mouth.  "I... I didn't mean that God is foolish.  I...uh I meant it seems foolish.  I don't understand."

Uriah put his arm comfortingly over Seth's shoulder. "Do not fear my friend.  It is a foolish thing for God to do in the eyes of everyone except God's.  I do not think there is an angel alive who fully understands this, but let me try to explain."

"For God so loves all the people of this world that He has given His one and only Son to be born of a virgin named Mary, who fully agreed to carry and give birth to The King.  She knew of the shame she would endure and yet because she trusted God and obeyed Him, She gave birth to this baby which God told her to name Jesus.

"Her husband Joseph knew the child was not his even though Mary was to marry him.  He was going put her away quietly and never marry her until God told him that the Child was of God and not of Man.  He obeyed God immediately and finalized the marriage.  He knew his reputation would be ruined with people thinking he had gotten Mary pregnant, but he obeyed God."

"But why would God do such a thing as lower himself from Heaven down here to a smelly barn as a helpless baby?  He is going to grow up and live in the squalor of this world?  How utterly barbaric!"

Uriah nodded, "That my dear friend is the biggest mystery of all."

While the world is still full of sin and rebellion against God, God sends The King to this world in order to save the very ones who hate Him.  God's love is so great that The King will live here and eventually die here so that the world will have the opportunity to turn from their wicked ways and come to live in Heaven with Him."

"I do not understand." Seth said with tears starting to flow down his cheeks.  "God has come to earth and will die for these people?  They do not derserve such love."

Uriah nodded in agreement.  "No.  They do not and there is where the foolishness of God is found, but the love of God is greater than any foolishness and compells God to give the most precious gift of all to this world.  Jesus who is the Christ."

Uriah turned to Seth.  "Come now.  We are to join with a chorus of other angels to announce this wonderful birth to some sheperds in the area."

Photo Credit: Nino Jesus by Jacinta Iluch valero