An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds on their night watch.  With the angel came GLORY.  This wasn’t just a special light, it was the fullness of God that is present in the person of Jesus Christ.  Written in the gospel of John, chapter one… “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”(verse 1)  “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” (verse 9)  “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (verse 14).

(from “My Son, My Savior”, written by Calvin Miller, artist Ron DiCianni)

The Angel announced the birth of the Savior.  Then a multitude of the heavenly host came proclaiming GLORY. My friend has a beautiful small white porcelain nativity with wonderfully expressive angels bringing glory.

It seems that the angels just flew in through the window straight from heaven.  My friend explained that the angels had belonged to her mother.  “There are only seven.  I am thinking there were probably eight and one may have gotten lost”, she said.  “Well, here is another thought”, I offered.  “In the Bible the number seven means complete, a fullness, a fruition.  It is the same as God creating the universe in seven days.  It was complete.”

It was fun to imagine those seven angels represented the entire host of heavenly angels!  I wonder if the angels ever got weary of their night calling?

(one of 12 angels in a triptych painted by Fra Angelico in the 15th c. for the Linen Guild of Florence, Italy).

Maybe angels even babysat for Mary when she was exhausted and couldn’t stay awake any longer! GLORY BE !

( “Angels and the Holy Child” by Marianne Stokes)

nk

Pondering…

Have you ever experienced an angel?