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. Read on to
know more about Christmas angels.
History
The 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.
Significance
When Christmas is round the corner, angels virtually appear everywhere. It is
believed that the Christmas angels fill the air with festivity. They are with
the human beings, to protect them throughout the festive season. Small children
are told bedtime stories, depicting the goodness of angels and their divine
relation with human beings. Apart from the fairy tales, angels feature in
manger, which depicts the Nativity Scene. The heavenly creatures can be seen in
embellishments used for tree as well. Christmas angels are adored by almost
every one and are especially liked by small children.
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