Angel’s stories originally flowed from ANCIENT TRADITIONS.
Angel and “angel stories” PRE DATE the OLDEST Hebrew texts in the BIBLE.
The whole SUMERIAN culture who PRE DATE even the EGYPTIAN society, are the OLDEST ANCIENT CIVILIZATION who used winged humans in their carvings and in their statues.
The SUMERIANS tell the “oldest known angel stories” about the messengers of the gods. The Sumerians believed that angels INTERVENED between the “gods” and men.
I do not know if you know this but “angel stories” – have permeated throughout ANCIENT and MOST PRIMITIVE cultures around the entire world.
These winged supernatural beings are found in a great deal of ancient ARTWORK and in much cultural LORE.
In the earliest books of the Hebrew Bible we read many “angel stories” – concerning their INTERVENTION between God and man.
These “angel stories” seem to always depict angels as being HUMAN in APPEARANCE.
Many times they appear to be androgynous…always depicting great beauty and good looks.
In Bible stories ABOUT ANGELS, they most often appear as MESSENGERS or as PROTECTORS or as DESTROYERS, GUIDES or HEALERS.
Ancient Mythology also had ITS SHARE of winged messengers…and these angel stories most likely INFLUENCED many famous ARTISTS over the centuries to PAINT and SCULPT angels with wings…
Perhaps, “the WINGS” were the artist’s way of conveying the story of angels “HIGHER PLACE” than being just a spirit…
An Early Christian Theologian and Bishop, ST AUGUSTINE by name, described angels as being simply “SPIRITS.”
St. AUGUSTINE taught and believed that an angels OFFICE is that of a “MESSENGER” – and it has nothing to do with their “nature.” Almost like a CALLING – they are called to be MESSENGERS of the most high God…
He furthermore believed that ANYONE bearing a MESSAGE can be an ANGEL.
BOTH the GREEK and the HEBREW words translated as “ANGEL” mean a “MESSENGER.”
Although “ANGEL STORIES” can be found within Judaism, Christianity and Islam it must be stated that some ancient cultures (in addition to SUMERIA) had stories of ANGELS.
Places like Babylon, Persian, Egypt, Greece as well as Eastern RELIGIONS (such as Buddhism and Hinduism) also tell stories about “BENEVOLENT SPIRITUAL BEINGS” interacting with humankind, though they may have been known by DIFFERENT NAMES.
The COLLECTION of “angel stories” are interesting to read, as they often describe VISITORS that are human in appearance, typically bringing a “MESSAGE” or “ASSISTANCE” of some kind to people. Many times the appearance simply cannot be EXPLAINED.
They APPEAR and are GONE. MESSAGE DELIVERED and they are history.
“Angel stories” always seem to bring a “LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE” to the one – who EXPERIENCES such a dramatic event.
Perhaps the most INTERESTING of “angel stories” are those that tell of “MYSTERIOUS VISITORS” who often appear in time of NEED. THEY provide COMFORT or HELP and then, “leave as quickly as they surfaced!”
They seemingly never divulge that they are “supernatural visitors.”
Their FORM and their SPEECH seem as solid and earthly as anyone would expect from another human being…but “how can we explain” the way these individuals just seemingly show up out of nowhere…and during times of dire strait?
There are like a ka-zillion stories about angel visitations…perhaps you may even have one of your own.
They defy explanation.
For a great many people, angels have become “UNSEEN VISITORS” who simply WATCH over our lives and ASSIST when called upon…THEY mark special occasions and work to GUIDE US through important life lessons…
A portion of our WEDNESDAY NIGHT Eucharistic prayer declares: “Therefore, with Angels and Archangels and “ALL THE COMPANY OF HEAVEN” we laud and magnify your glorious name evermore praising you and saying…”
And sometimes, there is a “lump in my throat”…and sometimes my eyes have been known to “well up.” Because there is more to this life…then WHAT WE SEE… Amen.