The angels had wondered at the glorious plan of redemption. They watched to see how the people of God would receive His Son, clothed in the garb of humanity. Angels came to the land of the chosen people. Other nations were dealing in fables and worshiping false gods. To the land where the glory of God had been revealed, and the light of prophecy had shone, the angels came. They came unseen to Jerusalem, to the appointed expositors of the Sacred Oracles, and the ministers of God's 44 house. Already to Zacharias the priest, as he ministered before the altar, the nearness of Christ's coming had been announced. Already the forerunner was born, his mission attested by miracle and prophecy. The tidings of his birth and the wonderful significance of his mission had been spread abroad. Yet Jerusalem was not preparing to welcome her Redeemer.

Englene havde undredes over den herlige frelsesplan. De var på vagt for at se, hvordan Guds folk ville tage imod Guds Søn, når han var i menneskeskikkelse. Der kom engle til det udvalgte folks land. Andre folkeslag beskæftigede sig med falske beretninger og dyrkede afguder. Englene kom til det land, hvor Guds herlighed var blevet åbenbaret, og hvor profetiernes lys havde skinnet. De kom til Jerusalem, uden at nogen så dem, til de beskikkede fortolkere af de hellige Skrifter og tjenerne i Guds hus. Præsten Zakarias havde allerede, da han gjorde tjeneste ved alteret, fået en fornemmelse af Kristi snare komme. Forløberen var allerede født, og hans tjeneste var blevet bevidnet gennem undere og forudsigelser. Beretningen om hans fødsel og hans udsendelses vidunderlige betydningsfuldhed var rygtedes viden om. Men alligevel beredte Jerusalem sig ikke til at byde Frelseren velkommen.