WA Advent Calendar 2025 - Thursday 18th December

byGail-UK

3.8K followers

1 day ago

Morning lovely peeps and welcome to Day 18. Today we have been blessed with An Angel in our Advent calendar.

If your only experiences of angels is dressing up in a sheet and making a halo out of an old metal coat hanger and some leftover tinsel, and tying the rest around your waist as a belt, then you are not alone. A children's nativity play is often our first encounter with these beings, and for some, possibly the last.

At Christmas, angels seem to appear everywhere — on cards, in carols, on the top of the tree, and in stories told by candlelight. Whether you see them as symbols, spiritual guides or simply part of the beautiful mythology of the season, their presence often feels uplifting, whether you believe they exist or not. That is for you to decide.

However, I thought I would explain a little about what angels mean to some.

A moment from the Christmas story

One of the most famous lines in the nativity story comes from the Gospel of Luke, when the angels appear to the shepherds:

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
A message of hope arriving in the quiet of the night.

It’s one of the reasons angels are so connected with Christmas — they represent the idea of light breaking through darkness.

Angels around the world

Angels, or angel-like beings, appear in many cultures and faith traditions, often playing the role of protector, guide or messenger.

• Judaism, Christianity and Islam all describe angels as beings of light who act as messengers or guardians
• In Zoroastrianism, angelic spirits called Amesha Spentas guide humanity and support creation
• In Hindu traditions, beings known as devas embody light, protection and harmony
• In many indigenous cultures, spirit messengers or ancestors act in ways that resemble angelic guardianship

Across societies, angels often represent the same timeless qualities: reassurance, kindness, courage and hope.

People imagine angels in many different forms.

Modern angels — not always winged

Today, people often refer to “everyday angels” — those who turn up at just the right moment, offer a helping hand, or bring comfort when it’s needed most.
They may not have halos or wings, but their timing can feel just as magical.

And then there’s Clarence…

Pop culture has given us many angel moments, but one of the most beloved is Clarence Odbody from It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) which is one of my favourite Christmas movies and always makes me cry. I know many of you at WA feel the same.

Clarence is an earnest, slightly bumbling “Angel Second Class” who hasn’t yet earned his wings. He’s sent to help George Bailey see the value of his life at a moment when George believes he has failed everyone. Clarence doesn’t arrive with trumpets or blazing light; he appears as a gentle, kind presence who shows George how profoundly one person’s actions can ripple outwards. His hopeful line — “Each man’s life touches so many other lives” — is a reminder that sometimes angels look a little less like celestial beings and a little more like unexpected helpers who turn up when we need them most. And he says that every time a bell rings, an angel gets their wings. You'll have to watch the film to see if Clarence is successful here.

Why angels still speak to us

Angels capture the imagination because they connect us with that quiet belief that we are watched over, supported and guided. Whether seen spiritually or symbolically, they remind us of the goodness that surrounds us, even when life feels a little heavy. And you don't have to believe in anything particular to get a warm glow knowing that someone else is looking out for you.

Have you found a 'Clarence' or an angel in your own life? Let me know in the comments below.