|
There
were two friends who were both angels and dressed lavender and green robes
respectively.
|
Their
claim to fame was the piousness of their nature, they could sing as sweetly
as a lark and always in praise of the Lord to whom they prayed religiously. So
skillful was their musical prowess, they were renowned for having lead the
orchestra of the Angels. One day the leader of the orchestra, Temira gave
them the exciting news that God had decided that his Son would come and live
amongst his people. They busied themselves preparing a musical compilation
more beautiful than anything ever heard before, after all wasn’t it for the
biggest event the world was every going to see? All the plans were charted
out, only the angels with the best vocal cord would sing and every
conceivable instrument would be used.
On
the day that Christ was born in a small stable in Bethlehem, the angels
followed their plan perfectly well and appeared in front of the shepherds and
played their beautiful concert announcing the birth of God’s son to them. At
first the shepherds were shocked to see the angel’s in the sky but the more
they heard their song the more their hearts filled with love, joy, wonderment
and awe at God’s glory. The Angel’s gave their good news to the shepherds and
together they all sang, “Glory to God, Glory in the highest, O come lets us
adore him.”
|
Monday, 10 December 2012
Legend Of The Christmas Angels
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Origin
ReplyDeleteOne of the most popular legends of Christmas angels is about a story that revolves around two angel friends. One of the two angels wore pink robes and the other wore blue robes. These angels were known for singing lovely duets and praised the glory of God. They also played trumpets made from pure silver that were believed to be the most melodious sounds ever heard by man. The angels, who were popular for their musical talents, led and conducted the orchestra for many angels, several times. One day, 'Temira', their orchestra lead, shared wonderful news to the members of the angelic orchestra. He said that God decided to send his 'Son' to live among 'His' people. On hearing this news, the angels were overjoyed. The cherubs decided to prepare a musical event for the most important occasion in history. The musical event was expected to be flawless and only angels with the best voices were chosen to sing. 'Temira', the orchestra leader, questioned his orchestra whether they knew what to do and for what purpose they sang. The angel, dressed in pink, answered by saying that the 'Lord' wanted the angels to show themselves to the shepherds, who lived in the hills of Bethlehem, and also added that the shepherds might be afraid because would have never witnessed angels in their lives. The angel in blue, added to what the pink angel had to say, by saying that the angels could remove the fear of the shepherds by singing and declaring the arrival of the 'savior' on human lands. On hearing the answers of both the angels, Temira smiled and nodded.
On the day of Jesus Christ's birth, the Christmas angels set out to meet the shepherds. A number of angels appeared in front of the shepherds and played few notes to rejoice the birth of baby Jesus. The shepherds were awestruck. Never were they confronted by divine beings in their life. This was a first. The shepherds were amazed with this sudden appearance and their hearts were filled with humility and love for God. The angels sang praises for God and spread happiness all around. With their angelic voices they spoke the words - "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men".
Another Christmas story that relates to angels, states that 'Gabriel', the archangel of revelation, told Mary that she was chosen to become the mother of Jesus Christ. It is believed that God sent his angels to watch over 'Mary' and 'Joseph' on their way to Bethlehem.
Significance
ReplyDeleteAngels are regarded as messengers of God and are believed to serve as an intermediary between 'Man' and God. The wings of angels signify innocence and purity. Angels are regarded as divine, immortal beings that spread happiness and peace. Small children are told stories about the divinity of angels and their significance. Today, during the 'Nativity scenes', Christmas angels are depicted as singing and playing musical instruments to the shepherds. Christmas angels are hung on Christmas trees for a more divine ambience.
Angels are not just another adornment placed on a Christmas tree or the walls of your house. The legend of Christmas angels states that these celestial beings played a vital role in welcoming the birth of Jesus Christ. The tradition of hanging Christmas angels on Christmas trees is a longstanding custom that has been followed for years and will be followed for years to come.
Angels form a significant part of Christmas legends. In Greek, the word 'angel' means messengers. In the popular Christmas stories, angels are the messengers of God, who played a prominent part in the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. They are personified as heavenly creatures with a pair of wings and a halo. The wings symbolize immortality, virtue, peace, love, cleanliness and innocence, while the halo is the symbol of their native to heaven. Many fairy tales and bedtime stories are centered on them and their good deeds done to humankind.
ReplyDeleteWhat are angels? Why were they created, and what do angels do? Humans have always held a fascination for angels and angelic beings. For centuries artists have tried to capture the image of angels on canvas. However, it may surprise you to know that the Bible describes angels nothing at all like they are typically depicted.
ReplyDeleteBible Facts About Angels
Angels are mentioned 273 times in the Bible.
Angels were created by God:
Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. (NKJV)
Angels were created to live for eternity:
...nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. (NKJV)
Angels were present when God created the world:
Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: "...Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? ...while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" (NIV)
Angels do not marry:
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (NIV)
Angels are wise and intelligent:
Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.’ (NKJV)
Angels are faster than men:
... while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. (NIV)
The Legend of the Christmas Angels is an imaginative story of how Christmas is celebrated annually by the angels in heaven. It stand to reason that if people on earth celebrate the birth of Jesus, angels even more so, since they were so intricately involved in the events leading up to, and fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteHistory
ReplyDeleteThe history of Christmas angels finds its mention in the New Testament, according to which, angels are categorized into nine ranks, Seraphim and Cherubim holding the top ranks. Saint Michael, an archangel, is regarded as the head of all angels. According to the legends, every human being has his/her own guardian angel, which protects him/her from evil spirits. Angels were perceived as per the Christian doctrine only around 1100-1200 AD. The heavenly creature plays a significant role in Christianity.
According to the popular story of Christmas, angels told Joseph to marry Virgin Mary. Angel Gabriel served as the messenger of the God, who brought the glad news to Virgin Mary about her being chosen as the mother Jesus Christ. Therefore, Gabriel is regarded as a Christmas angel. The Christmas angels also spread the news of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. Legends say that angels looked over, as Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, when she was bearing the holy child.
When angels came to know about the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, they sang serenade for the newborn baby. They were assigned by the Go to fly closer to earth and sing a melodious song, which was heard in the heavens and throughout the earth. The angels were ecstatic, when they came to know about the birth of Jesus. As per the story, a Christmas angel spread the news of the birth of the Son of God, to the shepherds. Hence, angels have acquired a significant position in the stories and legends connected to Christmas.
Angels play an important role in Christmas celebrations. The word, “Angel” is derived from the Hebrew and Greek words which simply means “messenger”. Angels are depicted as immortal, human like in appearance, transparent with wings who live in the heavens, come to us as the intermediaries of a higher power and are our link to the mystical heavens!
ReplyDeleteAn Angel is a common symbol placed on the top of the Christmas tree today. Gabriel is the heavenly Angel of Christmas who revealed to Mary that she would have a son “God”. A Christian story tells of a small group of tiny Angels on a special assignment to watch over and guide Mary and Jesus on their journey to Bethlehem. They sang songs of thanksgiving believed to be heard at all four corners of the earth. Today the hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” is played in all church choirs during the Christmas season. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem an Angel of Christmas appeared to the shepherds telling them of the Christ Childs birth. Angels in Christianity rapidly evolved in popularity during 1100 AD to 1200 AD. The teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas is believed to have had the most importance regarding the evolution of Angels.
The concept of “Angels” as spiritual or heavenly beings is evidenced in almost all cultures on earth. Archaeological evidence of Angels dates back to King Stela of Ur-Nammus in Egypt 2250 BC where Angels are depicted flying over the head of this king while he was in prayer. However there are numerous and many accounts of Angels throughout history. Here are some references:
- The Romans and Greeks have many references in their history of Angels especially as winged cherub sculptures seen on buildings and fountains.
- There is a popular belief that the Roman Saint Valentine inspired the figure of “Cupid” a winged cherub (usually a child-like image, curly hair, small wings behind their shoulders, some clothed and others unclothed and usually portrayed in flight) who shoots arrows at lovers. This is a popular Angel image associated with Valentines Day today.
- Islam (Koran) – Angels are mentioned many times in the Holy Qur’an (Koran) which was dictated to the Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel, the “Divine Messenger”. There is a belief that everyone has two Angels (one to the right who records good deeds and one to the left who records bad deeds).
- Hebrews (Torah) – the belief in four Archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel).
- The Bible – says that the Angels were singing at the creation of the world. The New Testament says that the Angels rejoice when people on earth are sorry for their sins! There are countless references to Angels in the Bible with nine ranks of Angels counted. The Cherubim and Seraphim Angels being of the highest order with the Archangel being the chief Angel and leader.
According to the New Testament, when people are sorry for their sins, angels rejoice. In Bible, nine ranks of angels are mentioned with Seraphim and Cherubim angels on top. Angels are headed by a chief angel known as an Archangel whose name is Saint Michael. We all have our guardian angels or angel guardians who protect us, look after us and comfort us in times of distress. It was in 1100 to 1200 AD when Christian doctrine about angels evolved rapidly, as in the teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Saint Thomas believed that angels fill the gap between God and mankind; they are countless and immortal. According to Saint Thomas, angels have perfect knowledge except things that can depend on human choice and things that only God knows.
ReplyDeleteThey were quite instrumental in birth of Jesus Christ and hence, play an important role in Christmas celebration and festivities. Angels were the ones that brought us the news of the birth of the Christ child. Gabriel, the heavenly Christmas angel brought the divine news to Mary and revealed that she was chosen to bear God's son. Another angel informed Joseph that he should marry Mary and look after the Christ. According to a legend, God appointed a small group of tiny angels, who were just learning their angel ways, to watch over Joseph and Mary on their journey to Bethlehem. Tiny angels did all they could and tried to do their best but could not help the couple to find shelter in the inn in the over-crowded town. Finally, they had to make do with the inn's stable.
They were so excited that they were to witness the birth of God's Only Son that flew closer to earth and sang sweetly. The fastest among them caught sight of the newborn child from stable's roof and instantly understood their mission was to herald the birth. They were so filled with joy and mirth that they burst into a glorious thanksgiving song that reached the heavens and was so melodious that it could be heard all over the Earth. A Christmas angel appeared to the shepherds near Bethlehem about the Christ Child's birth too. We still see Christmas angels singing and playing music in Nativity scenes who look so cute and benevolent that they catch young one's attention and fascination instantly.
Here is a nice poem about Christmas Angels
ReplyDelete"The Christmas Angels"
If you see some different lights
Around your Christmas tree
It could be Christmas Angels
Hiding there to see.
The fun and joy of Christmas
As they watch the children play.
And as they watch you celebrate
This very special day.
But there's another reason that
The Christmas angels appear,
They're here to remind us why
It's a special time of year.
This is the day that Christ was born
Years ago in Bethlehem
He's the one who is our Savior
He is King of all the land.
So celebrate His birthday
With your presents, cheer and love
And let Him know you're glad He is
Our Savior up above.
Then the Christmas Angels
Will be happy they were here
And they can leave, but don't you fret
They'll be back again next year.
-Ron Lantz