Angels OVER America

It is the seasonal time of year for angels, and for the past several years Angel Stories have abounded in popular literature. Not sure if these are True Stories, Figments of Overactive Imaginations, Wishful Thinking, or Urban Legends with Wings. But angels are part of our culture whether they are of the religious variety, or simply come in the guise of a Homeless Sage. Now I am here to tell you they are making their presence known in a more visual way. They are trying to insert themselves in our holiday greeting cards! This is what Washingtonian Carrie Devorah discovered as she was photographing a Chabad Menorah during the first night of Hanukkah at D.C.'s Ellipse area (I guess the two red lights are on the Washington Memorial, although the building itself is barely visible to the left of the candles.) Devorah's Menorah (and someday that should be made into a fun Jewish children's rhyme) is in the foreground in the shot, but then in the upper right of the picture are some weird, glowing blue shapes that she thinks may have Angelic Implications. She saw the lights at the time she took the shot, and was surprised at their clarity once the photos were developed. I have to admit it definitely looks like a celestial version of Battling Tops. So if these ARE angels, the message is decidedly war-like. (Note: I didn't look it up, but I have always understood the term angel to refer to "heavenly messenger.") News of Jesus' birth was routed to the virgin Mary not via the mail, but by God's Instant Messaging system: an Archangel. Now people being how they are in this country it is only a matter of time before someone tries to shoot the angels down and take them home like a 12-point buck. "Look, honey, do you know how to prepare angels?" (First, remove the wings...) Or someone will steal it like the inflatable Sponge Bobs that are being kidnapped from the nation's Burger Kings as we speak. Or the Secret Service will arrest the angels for trespassing and they will be detained as Enemy Combatants. Or mabe they will be seen as immigrants and get jobs driving cabs in New York City. But I will admit the world seems to be in a heightened state of confusion that could perhaps use the intervention of angels. And if they have a protection racket going, so much the better. Sign me up! Now if an angel appeared to us in our sleep, would we heed the instructions given? Or would we stop the late night snacking? I don't think Guardian Angels are mythological creatures like the Dental Fairy and the Easter Hare. I believe in both flossing and heavenly aid. But in order to hear our angels, I think we need to be (as Elmer Fudd would say) "vewwwy, vewwwy quiet." Because God speaks to us in the silence and openess of our hearts. Leave it to God to attract our attention with a Heavenly Blue Light Special.