The Usual Blend

"What are you smoking?"

"The Altar. Obviously."

"It smells really good. The Big One is impressed."

"I think its just the usual frankincense blend."

"No, I mean impressed with you."

"Why? I am just doing my duty, carefully and respectfully. It is a great honor for me and my house."

I might imagine the conversation starting this way, but it started with a holy fear. Angels always bring an immediate fear with humans. That makes sense. When was the last time you saw a real live angel standing within a safe distance from yourself (and not even wearing a mask!)? It is hard to imagine a being appearing out of nowhere. I get a little startled when a regular human shows up while I am concentrating on work or worship. How did you get in here? The Biblical record doesn't describe wings for the non-Seraphim angels. Who are you?  So many questions are on my mind, but they distract me from the center focus--God is doing a new thing. We might think about the smell of the incense, the bump of the pregnant ones or the cuteness of the itty bitty babies, but a sense of awestruck faith right after holy fear is where we should aim to be. The angel says to not be afraid. Fear isn't the opposite of faith, it is an obstacle to faithful action. 

Luke 1:5-17

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

God of Blessed Messengers,

In a time when we get distracted by all the smells and bells, turn our hearts back to you and your amazing work among us. Guide us to see in faith beyond our fears into your glorious tomorrow. Be with all our anxieties and worries this day for ourselves and those that we love,...We thank you for your help with all those who are working your Way of healing and wholeness. We praise you for your encircling peace and building justice. In the great Name of the blessed and Holy Trinity, we pray. Amen.