Remember the Story and Learn from the Angels

“Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.”

G.K. Chesterton

It’s the end of the year. Christmas is around the corner. There are things to do, things to figure out, things to face, things you would like not to face, and in the middle of it all, we find a story. Consider the one told by Matthew. His story seems to start a little slow with a list of names, but of course, a closer look reveals something wondrous - it’s a list of names! Each name on the list is a person who is known and remembered. Each name is part of a bigger story.

Your name is on a list, too. God knows your name. He remembers you. You are his child. He is your Father. You don’t need a name tag. You are known.

Another fascinating thing about this story is that it unfolds in a particular way, led by angels and the Holy Spirit. There are life-threatening obstacles. There is a villain. There are innocent victims. And yet, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.’ (which means ‘God with us’)” (Mt 1:22-23)

This is such an encouragement. G.K. Chesterton said, “Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.” All the things before us, on us, and around us can weigh us down, but they don’t have to. We can learn from the angels. We can loosen our grip. We can slow down our pace. We can let go.

Have you ever noticed the order of that well-known promise that the prophet Isaiah shares:

“Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa 40:31). You would think they would walk, run, and then mount up like eagles and fly. But Isaiah shows us something else. When we turn to God and wait on him, it changes our strength.* We can be like the eagles or the angels. We can be light as God carries us. Then we can run and are not weary. Then we can walk without fainting.

The best thing you can give to your loved ones this year - the best thing you can do for yourself - is to let go; to lighten up. When we release expectations and the weight of any burden we carry, and turn our hope to the Lord, our strength is changed. Even more, it opens up a space to both receive and offer joy, peace, and love.

Carry the story Matthew tells with you today. Remember, God knows your name. Remember, there is more to your story than whatever you are facing today. Remember that you are part of something larger than yourself.  Let’s loosen our grip. Let’s slow down our pace. We can let go. As we live into that, we may discover a lightness in our hearts like that of the angels.

Reflect…

What do I need to let go of?

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• F. B. Meyer helped me see this in Our Daily Walk.