Angel - 22nd Day of Advent

This fourth Sunday of Advent, we hear the story of how the Angel Gabriel came to give the message to Mary that she was to be the mother of God's Son.  You can go back to the 9th Day of Advent for thoughts regarding the word "Messenger".

So focusing on today's meditative word, "Angel", several things come to mind.  The Bible mentions "Angel" 283 times, 175 of which are in the New Testament.  It makes you wonder - were the people of the Bible more apt to be visited by Angels than we are today?  Are there fewer personal messages from God for mankind?  Or do we no longer know how to listen for the voices of the Angels?  

If you type into Google, "Do you believe in Angels", there are over 51 million websites that come up.  That seems to be a fairly significant number, leading us to believe that there's probably quite a few who believe in Angels.  How about you?

Then we have the concept of guardian angels - those beings that watch over us and can hopefully prevent bad things from happening.  Sometimes you have to wonder if perhaps the "imaginary friends" our children see aren't their own guardians - and their minds are still open enough to see that as possible.  

Then there's a favored poem to Mothers to the right.

Have you ever been visited by an Angel?  Do you know someone who has been?  Is it something that you see, something that you hear?  And if it's the latter, how do you know the difference between a message from an Angel and a message from God?  Is there a difference?

Activity for the Day:  Be kind to others, all day.  Find something you might do to help them, even if it's just a hug.