Messengers (ADVENT-URE DAY 4)

It is well-documented during the time period surrounding the birth of Jesus, that there was significant angel activity - from these messengers appearing to Mary and Joseph providing direction for the accomplishment of God's purposes, to the announcement to a group of shepherds outside Bethlehem, the Lord displayed His angel activity.  And, angels are still in operation today.  Today, Day 4 of Faith Radio's 25-Day Christmas Advent-ure, entitled, The Story For the Ages," we feature the angels who play a key role in this narrative.  In Luke 2, we can read:
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. ”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

During this Christmas season, during these moments in history, we need a proclamation of the good news that Jesus has come, the message that was related by the angels to the shepherds.  A new Gallup poll gives an indication about how our culture needs that message of hope.  The Washington Times reports: "Just 49% of Americans participating in the Gallup poll say religion matters to their daily lives, down 17 percentage points from a decade ago."  Gallup notes that, "It’s the first time fewer than half of U.S. adults have given this answer in annual surveys dating back to 2007..."   The Times article also states that the survey: "...brings Americans closer to the 36% of adults in 38 other wealthy nations who described religion as important to daily life in the latest global survey. That narrows a gap that has long given the U.S. a reputation for piety."

The Gallup website provides these details:

The long-term decline in religiosity places the U.S. in a unique position on the global religious landscape. Most countries fall into one of four patterns: high religiosity with Christian identity; high religiosity with another religious identity (often Muslim majority, although there are several countries in the Middle East where Gallup does not ask religious identity questions); low religiosity with Christian identity; or low religiosity with no religious identity.

The U.S. no longer fits neatly into any of these categories, having a medium-high Christian identity but middling religiosity.

But at 49%, the U.S. is definitely much lower than the 83% global median for religiosity, but ahead of the 36% level found in the those 38 nations that are part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which represent more of the wealth of the world.  The stats tell a concerning story, according to the Gallup summary: "Fewer Americans identify with a religion, church attendance and membership are declining, and religion holds a less important role in people’s lives than it once did. But this analysis of World Poll data puts the decline in a wider context, showing just how large the shift has been in global terms. Since 2007, few countries have measured larger declines in religiosity."

But, as the Washington Times article pointed out, there are encouraging signs regarding Christian practice, especially among younger adults.  And just because someone practices religions does not mean he or she is devoted to one.  This is a survey measuring religiosity worldwide, and while Christianity is included, we also can be encouraged by other pockets of data.

There is a deficiency, though, that we can readily admit.  And, while God will use angelic beings to bring His message and provide direction for Christian believers, we must recognize our call to be God's messengers.  2nd Corinthians 5 describes us as ministers of reconciliation.  We have the capability and ability to proclaim the hope of the world to the world.

And, Christmas gives us that perfect opportunity - when, I believe, people are more sensitized to spiritual matters.  Just as God showed His amazing and abundant love by sending His Son, Jesus, into the world, that same love dwells in the hearts of His people - we have to show it, to release it.  We can have a sense of excitement and awe as we respond to what God has done!