The Shepherd Angel Nativity Set with Stable
is approximately 12.5 inches wide 10 inches tall at its peak and 5.5 inches deep. This Nativity Set includes 4 Nativity figurines: Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus (detachable), and the Shepherd Angel. The Nativity Set figurines are made of a durable poly/resin material that resists chips and breaks. Story cards included. The Nativity Stable is made of wood. The back wall is covered in dense sphagnum moss. There is a large wooden post in the middle that is a support beam for the stable. On the right side of the stable is another wooden post with a small fence attached to it. The left side of the stable has a larger fence with hay and moss in and around it. The Nativity Set Figurines are all hand painted with special attention to traditional colors and antique finish. Joseph stands 5 inches tall with a staff in his left hand. He wears a pink salmon colored robe with an amber sheath draped over his arms. His belt and cuffs are gold. Four inch tall Mary kneels before Jesus in a light coral gown with an antiqued khaki sheath around her shoulders. She also has a white mantle around her head. Her belt and cuffs are gold as well. The Baby Jesus is detachable from his crib. He measures 3 inches long by 2 inches wide. He lays on a bed of hay with a white blanket over his leg and his hands outstretched. The Shepherd Angel stands 2.75 inches tall. The Angel wears a coral tunic with sheep fur sleeves. The angel holds a walking stick in the left hand and a small sheep in the right hand. The Shepherd Angel has small golden wings.
Angels
According to many religions an angel is a spiritual being created by God. The word angel comes from a Greek word meaning messenger or one who is sent. According to religious tradition, angels live in heaven and act as God’s servants and as messengers between God and human beings. They also serve as guardians of individuals and nations. Angels traditionally are pictured as having a human body and wings. Poets and artists have portrayed angels as symbols of innocence or virtue.
In some religions, legends tell of bright, powerful spirits that appear in dreams and visions and protect people or tribes. In Hinduism and Buddhism, many major gods are accompanied by a band or court of spiritual beings.
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam developed the most elaborate doctrines about angels. These religions recognize an order of beings in which angels rank above human beings but under God. God is all powerful and the human is sometimes portrayed as in Gods image.
The concept of angels with a human body and wings began in the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament, and in Christianity. Later tradition refers to many archangels, angels of high rank, including Saint Michael.
Christian doctrine regarding angels reached full development during a AD 1100’s and 1200’s especially in the teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas believed angels were necessary to fill the gap between God and human beings. He taught that countless numbers of angels existed and that they were immortal. According to Aquinas, angels knew everything except what depended on human choice and what was known only to God.
The Islamic belief in angels resembles that of Judaism and Christianity. These three faiths place angels near God and give special duties to some. Select this link to view our gorgeous selection of Fiber Optic Angels.