No figures in the Bible are as delightful as the Christmas angels. The heavenly angels are described as messengers of god. The word angels is Greek in origin and means messenger or one who is sent. Angels are supposed to be immortal spirits. Angels are said to live in Heaven and are thought to be intermediaries of God and our link to the mystical kingdom of heaven. Angel pictures are traditionally pictures that portray angels with human bodies and wings. Poets and artists have portrayed the angel with wings as symbols of innocence or virtue. They also symbolize purity, peace and love. The concept of angels with a human body and angel wings began in the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament of Christianity. The New Testament says that they rejoice when people on earth are sorry for their sins. Christianity has developed the most elaborate doctrines about angels. Christianity recognizes an order of beings in which they rank above humans beings but under God. In the Bible nine ranks of angels have been counted. Seraphim angles and Cherubim angels are thought to be the highest order of angels. The Archangel is a chief angel or a leader among the angels. Saint Michael is known as an Archangel. Guardian angels or angel guardians represent a comforting presence for all of us.

Christian doctrine regarding angels reached full development during the A.D. 1100's and 1200's, especially in the teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas. He believed that they were necessary to fill the gap between God and mankind. Aquinas taught that countless numbers of angels existed and that the they were immortal. Saint Thomas Aquinas believed angels knew everything except what depended on human choice and what was known only to God.

The heavenly angels play an important role in the Christmas celebration. It is said that they brought us news of peace through the coming of the Christ child, an angel gift from God for all people on earth. Gabriel is the heavenly angel of Christmas that brought this news to Mary. Gabriel revealed to Mary that she would have a son. An angel also visited Joseph. They told Joseph of the upcoming birth of the Christ child and also asked him not to be afraid to marry Mary. A story tells us that God gave a small group of tiny angels a special assignment to watch over this couple on their journey to Bethlehem. These angels were pretty new, and still learning ‘angel ways.’ But, the tiny angels took their jobs very seriously. Guiding the young couple over rugged terrain at the beginning of a cold winter, the angels did what they could to prepare the way. But even the tiny angels best efforts were of no avail when it came to finding shelter for the two in the crowded town. The tiny angels sang sweetly and used their collective efforts on behalf of Mary and Joseph but in the end, the couple was forced to occupy makeshift lodgings in the stable of a Bethlehem inn. As the night’s stillness settled over the land, an exciting moment came to pass inside the inn’s stable. The tiny Christmas angels assigned to care for Mary and Joseph flew closer to earth than ever before to observe the miracle of Christ's berth. The fastest angel of the group swept over the little stable, catching sight of the newborn child through the stable’s shabby, patched roof. And in an instant, the angels’ mission became clear: The little band of angels had been chosen by God to herald the birth! With great excitement and joy, the leading angel of the little band broke into a glorious song that flowed out into the cobalt heavens and wrapped around the clouds. It was a song of thanksgiving for all mankind to share. And their melody was heard to all the ends of the earth. Select here to view the Guardian Angel Figurines.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem an angel of Christmas appeared to the shepherds telling them of the Christ Childs birth. Here is a story of two of the trumpeting angels that had always been the best of friends. The two angels were easily recognized, for one wore robes of sunset pink, the other dressed in sky blue. The friends were renowned for their sweet duets, played on pure silver trumpets for the glorification of the Lord and the enjoyment of all of the other angels. Honored for their musical ability, the trumpeting angels of Christmas were often asked to lead the orchestra with the first few notes of a song. At the beginning of a practice session, the orchestra leader Temira said, “Lift up your instruments, and lift up our hearts.” One day the orchestra members were called together to hear an exciting announcement. The Lord was preparing to send his Son to live among His people. A jubilee of music was planned for this monumental event. Every sweet, angelic voice would sing, every musical instrument would play. “Who can explain the importance of our newest assignment?” asked Temira. The trumpeting angel in pink stood and spoke. “The Lord has commanded that we appear to the shepherds in the hills of Bethlehem. These shepherds might fear the us. They have never seen even one of us before, much less a sky filled with angels.” Then the angel in blue continued, “We will fill the shepherds hearts with the joy of our music. Their fear will be replaced with love, and then we will tell the shepherds about the Savior." “Wonderful!” said Temira with a smile. Honored to be part of the jubilee, all of the orchestra members planned to practice their parts to perfection. They hurried away, discussing the duet that would start the concert. Finally, the evening came when the Lord’s Son was born, in a tiny stable in the city of Bethlehem. According to the plan, the angels of Christmas would appear first to the shepherds in the hills outside the little village. The entire host of musical angels stationed themselves in the dark night sky. On cue, the trumpeting angels lifted their instruments and played the first few notes of the world’s most glorious concert. As their music filled the sky, the shepherds looked up in amazement. Their hearts were filled with the awesome glory of God, thrilled and humbled to take part in the greatest adventure of all time. After they had told the shepherds of the good tidings of great joy, the angels were joined by a host of angels singing "Glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men" and they praised God. Click here to view the Angel German Glass Ornaments.

Christmas Angels come in a multitude of Styles.