An angel is a messenger. The wings we ascribe to them are most likely optional accessories, like a sunroof on a car. We can make much of what artists, cartoonists, and novelists have shown about the physical nature of angels, but there are three certainties about them in this tale of two angels:

• They bring announcements from God. Sometimes, they are words of a personal assignment, such as that to a young Jeremiah to bring truth to his troubled nation or declarations of an impending birth that changes the world for all time.
• They understand humankind enough to add tender words to the announcement, words of calm, comfort, or tranquility—words like “Fear not.”
• They bring news, a statement, or notice. Something will happen—be alert, get ready, and prepare to respond.

Unexpected pregnancy

Zechariah was an elderly priest who had served God well into his advanced years. Alongside him stood Elizabeth, who had never been able to conceive a child. They were called “righteous before God.” The messenger of God calmed Zechariah, “Do not be afraid,” and announced the impossible. “Your prayer has been heard…your [elderly] wife Elizabeth will bear you a son.” Zechariah, the religious professional, responded with a question about control, “How will I know?” He wanted information, the answer to which will become evident as Elizabeth proceeds through her pregnancy.

Receive, respond, proceed

Meanwhile, the messenger of God appeared to Mary, identified only as “a virgin,” an innocent. Mary received three things from the angel:

• A new name. “Most favored one.”
• Troubling news. Mary’s new favored status with God brought with it an unwanted pregnancy, something that would bring shame, shunning, and rejection by her community.
• A life-defining purpose. Her son will one day sit on the throne of David. Jesus’ purpose and Mary’s are now and forever will be inter-related.

  Mary responds with “honest grace” [1]. She was troubled at her new name, “most favored one,” but filled with awe and wonder at the pregnancy announcement. Unlike Zechariah, Mary responds with holy fear and wonder, “How will this be since I am a virgin?”   Mary proceeds without knowing.

• She says yes. Like “no,” yes is a complete sentence. Perhaps the most profound declaration of faith we have in our language is: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord… let it be…” I go along, accept, and accede to this assignment, even though I don’t understand it all.
• She committed without knowing what it all would mean. “She pondered all these things in her heart.”
• Mary found her voice in one of our most profound songs in Christian history called the Magnificat (Luke1:46ff). 

Beneath the angel’s wings

And Gabriel? “She struck him as hardly old enough to have a child at all, let alone this child. But he had been entrusted with a message to give her, and he gave it. He told her what the child was to be named, who he was to be, and something about the mystery coming upon her. ‘You mustn’t be afraid, Mary,’ he said. As he said it, he only hoped she wouldn’t notice that beneath the great golden wings, he himself was trembling with fear to think that the whole future of Creation hung on the answer of a girl.” [2]   Practice: How will you respond this year when you hear familiar words: “Unto you is born…a savior, he is Christ the Lord.”   [1] Kathleen Norris, Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas [2] Frederick Buechner, Peculiar Treasures