I encourage you to look back over your life and identify times when you or a loved one avoided serious injury or even death. It may have been a car or bike accident, a work incident, health problem, sporting event or something else.

Now I am going to tell you why you are still breathing. An angel was sent to rescue you! Did you see the angel? Probably not. Whenever angels have appeared in plain sight they are enormous, dazzling and people are struck with fear. So very often, an angel will appear in the form of a person coming to your rescue. At other times, miraculously your vehicle stops on the edge of a cliff or some other amazing event occurs. 

Before you decide that what I am saying is foolishness, I encourage you to think about an earthly government. Think of Australia. Our country has soldiers whose job it is to defend our citizens if war breaks out.  We have a police force, RFS and SES to rescue those who are injured or trapped.

Just as there are earthly governments that exist for the safety of citizens, there is a heavenly government we cannot see that exists to protect the future citizens of heaven. That heavenly government consists of God, our Creator and His Resurrected Son, Jesus Christ; the Holy Spirit and millions of angels of differing ranks. 

I know of many miraculous events that have occurred. The Bible says this: “Therefore, angels are only servants - spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation (eternal life).” (Hebrews 1:14.)

When Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, God wanted to celebrate. His Son was on assignment to rescue fallen mankind, and God was so pleased. Humble shepherds were out in the field watching their sheep. Suddenly the black night turned into what Sydney Harbour looks like at New Year.

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified.”  The angels announced when and where Jesus was born.  Then “suddenly, a great number of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests’.” (Luke 2:14)

Jesus is still seeking you today.  His love is eternal.  Why not find a church service and celebrate His holy birth this Christmas?

Pam Sammut, Tenterfield Community Church