Angels and Demons and Christmas

Angels and Christmas –

Annunciation: Mary, you’re pregnant

Joseph take Mary

Angels singing Glory to God in the highest

Joseph flee

Wisemen don’t go back to Herod

About 80% of Americans believe in Angels – which surprises me

Our Catholic Faith on angels

Watch out for Popular devotion to the Holy Angels, which is legitimate and good, can, however, also give rise to possible deviations:  when, as sometimes can happen, the faithful are taken by the idea that the world is subject to demiurgical struggles, or an incessant battle between good and evil spirits, or Angels and daemons, in which man is left at the mercy of superior forces and over which he is helpless; such cosmologies bear little relation to the true Gospel vision of the struggle to overcome the Devil, which requires moral commitment,  humility and prayer;

Catechism 330 As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.

All angelic beings have a purpose and perform different functions. there are nine choirs of angels organized in a heavenly hierarchy: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. The Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones mediate upon the Person, Wisdom, and Judgment of God. The Dominions, Powers, and Virtues govern the forces of nature and the Universe as a whole. Finally, Principalities are guardians of nations and cities, Archangels are guardians of special people, and Angels are guardians and messengers to us all.

Guardian angels?  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church 336:  “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.

What does Jesus mean when he says these angels “always behold” the face of the Father?  It may mean that they are constantly standing in his presence in heaven and able to communicate the needs of their charges to him.

CDF: Devotion to the Holy Angels gives rise to a certain form of the Christian life which is characterized by:

1) devout gratitude to God for having placed these heavenly spirits of great sanctity and dignity at the service of man;

2) an attitude of devotion deriving from the knowledge of living constantly in the presence of the Holy Angels of God;

3) serenity and confidence in facing difficult situations, since the Lord guides and protects the faithful in the way of justice through the ministry of His Holy Angels.