The Letter

To: The Angel of the Lord

From: Michael, the Archangel

Greetings from headquarters! I realize that the past few years have been extremely busy for you, as they have been for all of us, but a new mission has been assigned to you—a very important top-secret operation. Your instructions are listed in this letter, and if you have any questions please make them known as I am told the success of this undertaking is of the utmost importance. 

As for my personal feelings, I do not think these creatures are worth the trouble, but for some reason He does. He has shown them nothing but love and mercy—to which they have responded by showing one another almost nothing but hate and cruelty—or, at best, indifference. He has showered them with blessings and yet they never seem to be satisfied. He has answered their prayers the few times they have called upon His name, and on more than one occasion He has delivered them from bondage as well as annihilation, but they continue to ignore Him even unto death. 

I’m sure you recall the many times He has sent us to fight for them when Wormwood, Screwtape and other demons and principalities have whispered deceit in their ears, only to have them ultimately turn a deaf ear to Him. In my opinion they deserve what punishment is due them, but for whatever reason He loves them and is preparing for His final act of mercy. 

Your objective is to visit a man named Joseph in a dream. You are to assure him that he has nothing to fear regarding his plans of taking Mary as his wife. You will explain to him that the child she carries was indeed conceived by the Holy Ghost. You must also explain that she will give birth to a Son and they will call Him Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins. 

Here is His plan: He will be born just as the prophets had predicted, and grow up experiencing everything these creatures are subjected to. Then when He reaches a certain age He will be crucified. That's right, and we are to do nothing more than stand by and watch as the Master of the Universe is murdered in front of our helpless eyes by the very creatures for whom He has shown endless love and mercy. 

Here’s what will happen: His very friends will deny ever knowing Him. They will turn their backs on Him, and one of them will even go so far as to betray Him in exchange for a small number of silver coins. Before His death, He will be beaten severely. They will place a crown of thorns on His head and will mock Him as His precious blood smears His face. 

But all this will come later. Before His death occurs we must occupy ourselves with the details of His birth. Can you believe the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will make His grand entrance into their world by being born in a lowly animal shelter? There will only be a few creatures paying close enough attention to know who He is, so after completing our tasks we will all meet that night and sing praises. 

The most disheartening fact is knowing these people will ignore Him even after He has given His very life for them. Oh, they will celebrate His birth for a while, but eventually they will turn that celebration into a commercial mockery—again causing Him to suffer betrayal for pieces of silver. 

He knows what is to come, yet still He intends to follow through with His plans. He intends to continue because He notes that some will not forget the true meaning of His birthday. To these few people, He reminds us, it will represent the day that leads to a new birth of their very own. 

Most sincerely, 

Michael, Archangel to the Most High