Angels Watching Over Me

Children's Sermon: Angels Watching Over Me (Matthew 2:12-23)

Have you ever heard the song, "Angels Watching Over Me?" It is a beautiful Black Spiritual which tells about how God sends his angels to watch over us. No one knows who wrote the song, but it is believed to have originated in the southern part of the United States during the days of slavery. The song goes like this: (Sing it, if possible.)

All night, all day,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
All night, all day,
Angels watching over me.

Sun is a-setting in the west;
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
Sleep my child, take your rest;
Angels watching over me.

When Jesus was born, Herod was King. When he heard about the birth of Jesus, he thought that Jesus had come to set up a kingdom here on earth and he was not at all happy about that. He tried to find out where Jesus was so that he could kill him. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him of the danger. "Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." That night Joseph left for Egypt with Jesus and Mary. They stayed there until Herod died.

When Herod died, God's angel spoke to Joseph in a dream again. "Get up, take the child and his mother and return to Israel. All who were out to kill the child are dead."

Isn't it wonderful that God sent angels to watch over his infant son and protect him from harm? Well, God loves all of his children. He loves you and me and he sends angels to watch over us. In Psalm 91, the Bible says:

Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
(Psalm 91:11-12 - The Message)

I'm glad that we have God's angels watching over us as we walk – even in dangerous places. Be thankful that God's angels are watching over you today! (Sing) "All night, all day, angels watching over me, my Lord. All night, all day, angels watching over me, my Lord."

Father, we thank you for your love and protection. Amen.

Note: A link to a lead sheet and an MP3 accompaniment for "Angels Watching Over Me" can be found on the Group Activities page.