Intense Angelic Activity

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Luke 1:11

The understated way of the Bible is often a delight to my eye. This was not a common occurrence in the priest's day as he did not expect when his lot was drawn to be facing a messenger of the Lord. His reaction was one of fear, because well...yeah, that is the usual when an angel appears. Beside the altar was a place no one should be, startle reaction. But then Zacharias could tell this was not a stray priest or curious traveler right away, fear of the uncanny. And then comes that famous first line, "Do not be afraid." To which Zach may have thought, as we might in his place, "Too late, already got there!" This visit from Gabriel was not exactly an isolated incident at this time though. A period of intense angelic activity seems to have kicked off here with Gabriel also visiting Mary, an angel appearing to Joseph in a dream, and then the angel and a multitude of the heavenly host appearing to some rather frightened shepherds out in a field near Bethlehem. This sudden increase in visible visitations was of course part of that great event, the birth of our Lord Jesus.

Peace and joy from God our Father to you this Christmas!

Bucky