Angels

The more time passes, the further removed I am from the wonder and adventure that was the night time in the old campground.  With no one around, and no sounds of human life to break the silence, I learned to love the star-filled nights by a warm fire.  It was my time to reflect, to ponder, and wonder, and think.  And I enjoyed the silence  and solitude that I experienced night after night.

As much as I would like to be tough like Clint Eastwood, I have to admit that there were times that I had restless nights at the campground.  Silly instances such as raccoons passing through the trees above me, or screeches coming from the woods sometimes made my hair stand on end.  There were also serious times that made me concerned such as when cars would pull into the campground in the middle of the night and drugs were exchanged, or the time when an individual threatened me while I was in the shower. 

But I know that nothing could compare to the night that the shepherds had an angel appear to them to announce the birth of Christ.  How do you process something like that?  What goes through your mind?  I don't know how I would react, but I do know that throughout history, angels have touched hearts, caused people to reconsider, caused them to reflect, and caused even the toughest of men to whimper at just the sight of these heavenly creatures.

We are told that angels are always with us, but perhaps some of the wonder and awe of Christmas time is that for some reason, in some way, angels seem most near to us and most real.  At this time of year when the story of the birth of Jesus is brought to life through movies, and scenes at the mall, and through nativity re-enactments, we are reminded that these beautiful creatures were present at the first Christmas and are still with us today.