From the archives of Oral Roberts – First of three parts
The Bible tells in vivid and colorful detail of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It speaks of things, angels and people and how they played vital roles in the most stirring and significant drama ever to unfold in the pages of human history. The gospel writers discuss the actions of God and His outstanding work to bring about the first Christmas. They tell of how He promised a Redeemer and how He providentially guided people, events, and even the stars in their courses to bring His promise to fulfillment.
But to me, the most meaningful and unusual thing about the Bible story of Christmas is the recognition of the helpers. The angels, the people, and the things mentioned in the story can actually be called the “workers of Christmas.”
The workers did their individual tasks alone. They were, perhaps, the loneliest workers of their time.
The Star, which rose up from the hundreds of millions of stars in the universe, made its way across the heavens to shine above the Christ-child alone. It shone because it was its nature to shine, but it traveled alone that night because God touched it and placed it in a special orbit. It moved along the boundary line of eternity, staying on perfect course, until it stood over the humble bed of Jesus. And it fulfilled its divine mission alone.
The angel of the Lord accomplished his task alone. He carried the message of God first to Mary, then to Joseph, that the Baby was to be born. And later, when the angel announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, the angel of the Lord went alone. And if an angel can be lonely, there was a time of loneliness in his mission because he performed it by himself. The heavenly host that suddenly appeared with him saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men… even this group was small in comparison to the millions of celestial beings from which they came. And theirs was a lonely mission.