As a preacher’s kid (and now also a preacher’s sister) angels have always been a part of my life. First the angel choir with white robes and tinsel halos. Later with my line in in the church play, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” as an ornery kid playing an angel in the school’s pageant assertively commanding: “For unto you a child is born!” wearing pink Chuck Taylor Converse high tops. Oh so many church hymns with angel references such as “Angels We Have Heard on High.” Then each 5:30pm Christmas Eve service, my dad pulled a chair down from the pulpit, welcomed all the wiggly kids, and read a children’s story, often from Katherine Paterson’s “Angles and Other Strangers.”
As a kid the angels always seemed to glow, sparkle, and be jubilant. A mix of magic, wonder, and joy. As a grown up, I’ve found a better angelic image: The nearly 60 year old angel that sits on top of my parent’s tree that has a remarkable semblance to Phyllis Dillard. This angel perches atop the tree always a bit askew – sometimes looking like she rushed into position and other times as if she had one to many mimosas. Her blond hair with that fresh just rolled out of bed style. She has stains on her robe… I’m guessing chocolate. She is missing a hand and her wings have a permanent tilt from I think, flying around in circles with a crazy Christmas “to do” list.
Why this angel? She is an authentic angel. My angel represents my kind of faith – sparkle weathered by life. My angel reflects faith in action rather than faith perfected. My angel is relatable rather than pristine. My angel is joyful yet puts someone as ease; there is no need for pomp and circumstance with her. A simple “come as you are and join me” faith.
As I look at my angel, David LaMotte’s song “We Are Each Other’s Angels” fades in and out of my head like a mediation…
Well I hope I see you later
‘Cause it’s time for me to go
Someone just pulled over
Sure was good to know you
Go answer your calling
Go and fill somebody’s cup
And if you see an angel falling
Won’t you stop and help them up
‘Cause we are each other’s angels
And we meet when it is time
We keep each other going
And we show each other signs
Sometimes you will stumble
Sometimes you might fall down
Sometimes you will get lonely
With all these people around
You might shiver when the wind blows
And you might get blown away
You might even lose your colors
But don’t you ever lose your faith
We are each other’s angels
And we meet when it is time
We keep each other going
And we show each other signs
Thank you for the water
I thought I was gonna die out here in the desert
But you quenched my thirst
Let’s break a little bread together
I’ve got a little manna
It was a gift
From somebody who was passing by
And offered me a lift
Now go answer your calling
Go and fill somebody’s cup
And if you see an angel falling
Won’t you stop and help them up
We are each other’s angels
And we meet when it is time
We keep each other going
And we show each other signs
With all that makes up the holiday season, I hope you pause to appreciate your angel and be mindful about how you can be one to others.
