Angels form a significant part of Christmas legends. In Greek, the word'angel' means messengers. In the popular Christmas stories, angels arethe messengers of God, who played a prominent part in the birth of LordJesus Christ. They are personified as heavenly creatures with a pair ofwings and a halo. The wings symbolize immortality, virtue, peace, love,cleanliness and innocence, while the halo is the symbol of their nativeto heaven. Many fairy tales and bedtime stories are centered on themand their good deeds done to humankind. Read on to know more aboutChristmas angels.
History The history of Christmas angels finds its mention in the New Testament,according to which, angels are categorized into nine ranks, Seraphimand Cherubim holding the top ranks. Saint Michael, an archangel, isregarded as the head of all angels. According to the legends, everyhuman being has his/her own guardian angel, which protects him/her fromevil spirits. Angels were perceived as per the Christian doctrine onlyaround 1100-1200 AD. The heavenly creature plays a significant role inChristianity.
According to the popular story of Christmas, angels told Joseph tomarry Virgin Mary. Angel Gabriel served as the messenger of the God,who brought the glad news to Virgin Mary about her being chosen as themother Jesus Christ. Therefore, Gabriel is regarded as a Christmasangel. The Christmas angels also spread the news of the birth of LordJesus Christ. Legends say that angels looked over, as Mary and Josephtravel to Bethlehem, when she was bearing the holy child.
When angels came to know about the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, theysang serenade for the newborn baby. They were assigned by the Go to flycloser to earth and sing a melodious song, which was heard in theheavens and throughout the earth. The angels were ecstatic, when theycame to know about the birth of Jesus. As per the story, a Christmasangel spread the news of the birth of the Son of God, to the shepherds.Hence, angels have acquired a significant position in the stories andlegends 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 festiveseason. Small children are told bedtime stories, depicting the goodnessof angels and their divine relation with human beings. Apart from thefairy tales, angels feature in manger, which depicts the NativityScene. The heavenly creatures can be seen in embellishments used fortree as well. Christmas angels are adored by almost every one and areespecially liked by small children.
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