Significant figures of Christmas time are the Christmas Angels, very important entities strongly linked to the Nativity of Jesus, since the Annunciation of His birth. Angels bring hope in a new salvation for humanity, thanks to the Birth of the Messiah. For this reason, depictions of angels are very recurrent in the houses of Christians during Christmas.
Let’s revisit together some highlights in which the angels have been fundamental, during the months just before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas Angels in the Gospel of Matthew
In Matthew’s Gospel, many times an angel appears in a dream, to both St Joseph and the Three Wise Men, to show them what to do in order to let the Son of God go through the journey of His life on Earth in such a safe and serene way, far away from dangers or threats.
In particular, when the angel appeared to St Joseph, he said:
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
(Matt 1, 20-21)
After this apparition, Joseph did what the angel ordered him and took Mary as his wife.
Christmas Angels and the Annunciation of Mary
In the Gospel of Luke, an important heavenly figure turned to speak, giving rise to one of the pivotal events of the Catholic calendar: the Annunciation, celebrated on March 25.
The Archangel Gabriel appeared in the middle of the day to Mary, a very young girl, to announce the arrival on Earth of the Son of God, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
(Luke 1,30-33)
The angel appeared again, but this time to Saint Joseph, when suspicious about the pregnancy he thought about not to marry her. The heavenly figure appeared in his dreams, telling him that the Conception took place thanks to the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus was born, a shining angel announced the mystery of Nativity to a group of shepherds and together with other heavenly figures celebrated the blessed event with an angelic voices, singing:
(Luke 2, 14)
Those angels led the shepherds to Bethlehem, until the manger where the Son of God was laying. At their arrival, they told Joseph and Mary about the angelic apparition they had during their journey.
Singing and Music as media to get closer to God
St Augustine said “Singing belongs to one who loves”. Singing and music are fine arts deeply linked to Christmas Angels and prayers. Through music, the angels bring the message of God, written in the Holy Bible. With it, the soul of who sings becomes lighter, rises up and totally opens itself to God. Thanks to singing, the soul of the faithful forgets concerns and bad thoughts, giving space to joy.
Today Christmas Angels
To pay homage to the angels that accompanied and announced the birth of Jesus, during Christmas time the houses of Christians are filled with home decorations that depict these important heavenly figures of Catholicism.
These decorations are available in many different sizes and materials, in the dedicated collection.
Discover now the entire collection of Christmas Angel Ornaments.
Related Posts:
The Holy Family: the Pillar of Christian Life→
The Immaculate Conception: Meaning and Origins of the Solemnity→