Entertaining Angels

Would you think your Chaplain a bit looney if I tell you I believe in angels? I believe that god is an active presence in the world and I am persuaded that angels are not just a figment of an overactive imagination.  Rather than it being an ever-shrinking area, the bounds of spiritual experience continue to expand for me as I get older. I have listened to an increasing number of people who hesitantly shared an other-worldly experience with me so I know those mystical experiences are real. Studies have found that 77% of people believe in angels. It seems like there has always been a fascination with the subject of angels. We have seen countless books, movies, television shows, songs, paintings and a host of other things that emphasize the existence and presence of heavenly beings. The collectibles industry in particular has gotten in on this big time, and there are all kinds of pictures,  statues, ornaments and other likenesses of angels to be found.

Angels are part of almost every religion and generally seem to have the role of messenger. Many traditions believe in guardian angels who serve to protect whichever person God assigns them to and present prayer to God on that person's behalf. In the movie “It's A Wonderful Life” an angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed. Remember Clarence? Every time a bell rings, an angel gets it's wings. There are four visitations of angels associated with the birth of Jesus. The great musicians of the world have used angels in their compositions. Most familiar is probably from Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, When at Night I Go to Sleep, fourteen angels watch do keep.  Handel includes an aria with these words: “Angels, ever bright and fair, take, oh take me to your care.” And children love the spiritual, All Night, All Day, angels watching over me my Lord.

The book of Hebrews says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” The angels around us may not look like what we expect. We never know to whom we are talking, whom we are welcoming or turning away, to whom we are offering a much needed embrace or a cold shoulder, for the strangers who come into our lives come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and conditions.*

Author Info: Peggy Roberts

Chaplain Peggy Roberts is Vice President of the Spiritual Life Department here at Beatitudes. Peggy was ordained in the Presbyterian church (USA) and has served in pastoral ministry as well as being a hospice chaplain.