“O Angel of God, my guardian, dear.” I think most of us probably learned this prayer as we were kids. I can remember praying this all together, sitting around the fire at night before bed. I think this is a beautiful tradition that families should start, but it also can lead to some thoughts about angels that may not be accurate. Because angels are frequently talked about and depicted in children’s prayers and books, we tend to think of the angelic as childish or almost make believe to help children with bad dreams.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that angels are God’s messengers and protectors. All throughout scripture, we see angels intervening and interceding for us here on earth. This makes sense if we think about it. Angels were created by God and are happy with him in heaven, so why not ask for and believe in their help.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church takes this idea further. The Church, in her wisdom, states, “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. ‘Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.’ Already here on earth, the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.”
This should be far more exciting to us than what we perhaps believed as kids, that angels were similar to Santa or the Easter Bunny. If we believe in demons, fallen angels, then we must believe that there are angels who are not fallen who are willing to fight on our behalf. We need this. We need as much help as we can get in this world, and God knew it.
In today’s gospel, the holy family is told to flee to Egypt to escape certain death. Do we believe in the power of God and in his wisdom to protect us through his angels? Do we believe they can actually help us in our day to day and do we ask for their help, or do we believe they are nice things we heard and read about long ago?
During this celebration of Christmas, let’s try to grow closer to our guardian angels and ask for their help and protection. “O Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule and guide.”
Amen.
Tommy Shultz is a Solutions Evangelist for Diocesan. In that role, he is committed to coaching parishes and dioceses on authentic and effective Catholic communication. Tommy has a heart and a flair for inspiring people to live their faith every day. He has worked in various youth ministry, adult ministry, and diocesan roles. He has been a featured speaker at retreats and events across the country. His mission and drive have been especially inspired by St. John Paul II’s teachings. Tommy is blessed to be able to learn from the numerous parishes he visits and pass that experience on in his presentations. Contact him at tshultz@diocesan.com.
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