Angels are extraordinarily powerful beings. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states, angels are "spiritual, non-corporeal beings" whose presence looms large in both Scripture and Tradition.
It was Michael the Archangel who led the armies of God against Satan in Revelation. It was Gabriel who appeared to Daniel, announced the conception of John the Baptist to Zechariah, and delivered the message of the Incarnation to Mary. And it was Raphael who, in the Book of Tobit, guided Tobias, cured his father's blindness, and exorcised the demon of Sarah.
But even beyond these three named angels, the Bible and Christian tradition are filled with other, powerful but unnamed spirits. Angels have comforted the downtrodden, protected the righteous, and slain the wicked, and they continue to intervene in our lives today. We pray the St. Michael prayer for protection against the devil, and we (should) ask for our guardian angel's assistance every day.
But as strong as angels are, and as frightening and awesome as their power may be, they are still servants of God, the King of the Universe. They still bow before the same God that we pray to, and it is His message alone that they carry.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:9-12)
Yes, some angels chose not to serve God, and they sided with Lucifer, the devil. But while they "prowl about the world, seeking the ruin of souls," we have nothing to fear.
The angels of the Lord are on our side. St. Michael and the heavenly hosts are on our side. God is on our side. The war has already been waged and won, and the price of our sins has been paid.
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:14)
When you give at the $600 level during this pledge drive, you'll receive a truly angelic premium. Bring the wonder of the first Christmas home with this Angel Nativity Statue, made by the same Tuscan family that has crafted Fontanini Nativity figures since 1908. The angel kneels in adoration before the Christ Child and invites us into the same posture of prayer and reverence. Add it to your Nativity at Christmas, then keep it on your home altar or prayer shelf all year long. (4" H; Fits the 5” scale Fontanini nativity sets)
