Remembering Angels

My mother had an awesome collection of angel figurines and angel pictures, and plaques. One of my favorites was an old print, pictured above, that I also remember seeing at my great grandmother's home in Kentucky. It is approaching three years now since Mom passsed away, and most of the time I do pretty good at handling the grief. I guess holidays are a little harder for all of us, when we are missing someone we love.

Well, last night I had the privilege of spending most of my evening after work with my wife. We had some serious shopping to do since Christmas is fast approching. Just before the shops began closing we stopped at a nice restaurant and ate supper together, just the two of us. Now, that was real treat! Then after supper we checked out the Cracker Barrel gift shop for a few other items on our list. That's when it happened. It caught me by surprise. I turned down a small aisle and found a beautiful ceramic angel. It was then that from somewhere deep inside there came a rush of feelings that I hadn't felt for some time now. My eyes misted over with tears. I was missing mother. I quickly walked on around the corner of the display thinking I would regain my composure only face numerous ceramic angels on the other side. There was no escaping the angels nor my rush of emotion. It's just that I still really miss my mother, and the angels reminded me of her.

At this time of year we are often remembering angels especially those that visited the shepherds in Luke 2:8-11

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

It is ineteresting that the word, angel, means messenger. To the shepherds on that Judean hillside God sent His messengers. That awesome moment was full of emotion. In fact it says here that they were terrified. Still God's message to them was one of hope and joy. "Don't be afraid. I bring you good news."

This morning I am thankful for mother. Not only did she collect angels, but she also was a heavenly messenger herself. She loved God's word, and spent every morning reading the Bible. She loved to teach. I count myself blessed this morning as I am remembering angels.

It is my hope that if you are feeling overwhelmed with emotion this Christmas, or if you are struggling with grief, that you will hear the message of hope that Chritmas brings. May God fill you with hope and great joy and you hear the message of the angels, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"