In heaven, before the presence of God, many angels live and work, worshiping God, carrying his word across the universe, and ministering to the needs of human beings on earth. God loves the people on earth, and his angels are ministering spirits sent to comfort and care for them in the midst of a world filled with darkness and sin.

But there was one angel, a very little angel, who felt very unimportant. His name was Kanaph-Adem, which means "Redwing". He was called this, because unlike the other, mightier angels, who had huge, beautiful wings, like those of an eagle, but glistening white, --Little Redwing had stunted, reddish wings, which looked more like those of a sparrow! He was a messenger-carrier angel, sort of a heavenly mailman.

As Redwing walked the golden streets, he heard the singing of the mighty angel choirs. He knew that he didn't sing very well, and would never be asked to join in.

He saw the mighty, important angels come and go, such as the cherubim, the mighty angels who guard the door to paradise. They had had so many important jobs in the Old Testament that God had even told the people to make statues of the Cherubim. Then he told them to place those statues on the cover of the Ark of the Covenant.

Redwing also watched in awe as the mighty Seraphim passed by him. Their name, Seraphim, meant "burning ones", because they shone so brightly, reflecting the brilliant pure righteousness of God. These were the angels that Isaiah had seen in his vision of the temple. He had been filled with fear. Redwing could understand that. They were giants, filling everything around them with magnificent light.

But greatest of all were the archangels. He had spoken once to Michael, the archangel swordsman, the guardian of the Jewish people, who had once bested Satan himself in a duel, rebuking Satan with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of the Lord.

But Redwing's favorite Archangel was Gabriel. Gabriel had been the messenger to Daniel, in the times of struggle in Babylon. Redwing loved to sit at Gabriel's feet, and hear the stories of battle and victory he told. Gabriel always took time for him, and taught him much of angel ways.

But Redwing felt so little and helpless. All he was used for was an occasional message across town, or bringing armloads of prayers to the door of God's throne room.

He had never even been to earth. He had never been allowed to see that wonderful planet God loved so well. He had never been allowed to go to earth, where the mighty angels day by day struggled with the forces of evil, deflecting their attacks on the people of God.

The hardest of all, was that now the streets of heaven were filled with joyful talk. The angels spoke in hushed tones about "The Invasion", which Redwing was sure he'd never get to be a part of. Something new was coming in God's battle with evil. Was it a secret weapon? Was it to be the great final battle? Secrets like this were carefully kept, lest any information fall into the hands of the Evil One.

So, day by day, as he faithfully did his chores and tasks, Redwing dreamt of the might victory which was surely to come, but felt sad that he would never get to be a part of the invasion force. He was so little, and with his stubby wings, he couldn't fly very far or very fast. And he certainly didn't look fierce, nothing like the mighty angels he admired so.

Next to these mighty angels, little Redwing felt so useless. What could he do to help God? What could he do in an invasion?

But one day, as he carried his mail pouch, who should stop him on the street, but his friend, the mighty Gabriel.

He said, "Redwing, I've been looking all over heaven for you. The Master wishes to see you, immediately."

Redwing's head reeled. The Master? God himself? Redwing had never been summoned to the Presence of God before. What could this mean? Had he done something wrong? He was just a lowly message carrier! Nothing he had ever done could be important enough to be called to the Throne!

He followed the larger Archangel, as they bustled their way through the crowd. All of heaven seemed to be in an uproar. Angels were hurrying, running and flying everywhere at once. Something was up! This must be a sign of "The Invasion", whatever that was.

Soon they came to the steps below The Throne. He had never been so close! Even though Heaven was filled everywhere with God's presence, the power, joy and magnificence of the Presence of God filled the area to a degree he had never experienced before.

Suddenly he felt surrounded by love and warmth. He was swept off his feet, drawn upward in a twinkling, finding himself standing in the midst of what could only be described as immeasurable light.

Then a voice, like the sound of thunder, yet, like the trickling of water from an icicle, and the rushing of wind. The Voice said,

"Little Redwing, you have been faithful in all you have done. I have watched. You have been a faithful messenger always. Now, I need you for special mission."

"But, my Lord," Redwing stammered, "There are so many greater than I. They are mighty warriors. Many fly faster or farther. I am but the least."

"Yes, little one, you are least. You are not fearsome, you are not warlike. That's exactly why you are needed. I need you to bring a message to others who are the least. I need you to bring a message, which must be received. Yet, the appearance of any angel is more than most humans can bear. You must be the one to bring the message. You are the littlest, the least frightful, the one whom fearful humans can most easily receive."

"Take this message in your pouch, and read it clearly when you arrive where you are brought. It all depends on you."

With a "whoosh", Redwing found himself in the midst of thousand and thousands of angels. This was the Invasion Force! He was carried by Gabriel, as they hurtled through space and time, towards a small blue-green dot.

As they approached, Redwing watched the dot grow and grow. Suddenly, he realized that this was Earth, The Planet of the Struggle. Closer and closer they plunged.

As they approached the planet he began to hear the clanging of angelic swords, as the heavenly host began to struggle with the forces of the Evil One. Faster and faster they plunged, as they pierced the darkness. His heart was in his throat. "What could be so important?", he wondered, as he clutched his mail bag.

Faster and faster they plunged to the strange blue, green and brown surface below. The fighting became intense. Demons and angels were locked in combat all around them as they descended.

And then it was over... The entire force stopped, just a few hundred feet over the darkened brown plain below.

Suddenly the ground was lighted as day by the light from the invisible Seraphim. On the ground below, startled men raced to one another, and pointed at the sky. Yet all they could see was light. All of the angels remained invisible for the sake of the humans.

Row after row of angels and cherubim surrounded Redwing, standing fierce and mighty, ready to protect him from demonic assault.

Then Gabriel said, "Now is the time. Read your message, little Redwing."

He tore open his pouch, and broke the seals. He began to read:

"Fear not! For, behold! I bring you good news of a great joy, which is for all people. Today, unto you has been born a savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying...in a manger."

Suddenly, the great invasion force could hold back their joy no longer. A great shout went up, and rank upon rank of angels, archangels, cherubim and seraphim appeared and began to praise God, singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to all."

That's the story, a parable about the least of the angels, one I have named "Redwing". Two things need to be remembered:

First is, that no matter how small or unimportant you may think you are, God needs your heart, and will use you in a way that only you can do.

Second, the message that Redwing brought is the great message of why we celebrate this day. Now it's our job to carry that message to everyone we meet. "Fear not! For, behold! I bring you good news of a great joy, which is for all people. Today, unto you has been born a savior, who is Christ the Lord."

This morning, I give to you a reminder of this parable. Take this little angel with you, hang it on your Christmas tree, or on the wall of your room, to remember:

First is, that no matter how small or unimportant you may think you are, God needs your heart, and will use you in a way that only you can do.

Second, the message that Redwing brought is the great message of why we celebrate this day. Now it's our job to carry that message to everyone we meet. "Fear not! For, behold! I bring you good news of a great joy, which is for all people. Today, unto you has been born a savior, who is Christ the Lord."Merry Christmas! Amen. © 2003 Roland Wells