Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:8-14

The average person today might call you crazy if you told a story like that… being visited by even one angel, let alone a multitude of them. It is no wonder the angel begins by telling the shepherds not to be afraid. I am certain I would tremble at the sight and sound of an angel bringing me a message from God. If I saw the heavenly host praising God, I hope I would join them in praise and worship, but I am afraid I might first hide my face from such a sight. We are simply not quick to believe that such a thing could happen in our day and age.

Yet God has given great visions such as this to many modern saints and holy men and women, Cora Evans among them. These holy people do not shy away from God’s extraordinary communication with them. They believe that God wishes to speak to each of us in a unique way and they accept the mystery of the numinous. Rather than fear such an experience, Cora welcomed God’s messages and visions and dutifully recorded them for the world. I admire her courage in writing about her visions of Scriptural events, especially the details included beyond that which is in the Bible.

An Angel Present at Jesus’ Birth

In Cora’s account of the birth of Jesus, an angel appears to Mary just before Jesus is born. In Cora’s vision, Joseph has gone during the birth to collect his parents so that they can visit Mary and the newborn Jesus. As a new mother myself, I cannot imagine going through childbirth alone. God knows that we find strength in the presence of others. He will not leave us alone at any moment of our lives, but especially not the most challenging and profound moments. God does not leave Mary alone but sends His archangel Michael to be with her in this most beautiful turning point in her life as she welcomes Jesus into the world. Mary had already experienced the presence of an angel at the Annunciation, during which she showed great courage and bravery in such foreign company. 

One of the most beautiful aspects of Cora’s vision is the great light she describes as surrounding Mary at the moment of His birth. This light is so bright, she reports, that only the archangel could gaze into it. The light both surrounded and emanated from Mary. What a beautiful image of the moment that the Light of the World came to be flesh. The shepherds also saw a great light when the angels came to tell of Christ’s birth. We light our homes and trees and Advent wreaths to remind us that the light – Jesus’ Light – shall always overcome the darkness; God lights our way to heaven.

Angels Present with Us

We may not receive heavenly visions as Cora did and be able to see the spiritual angels around us this Advent – though they are surely there – but each of us will be graced with the presence of the Holy One in those around us. God often uses other people to encourage, enlighten, and inspire us in our walk to heaven. I wonder whether we always recognize the grace being offered through the people around us. Do we truly believe that the Divine dwells within them? What might be different about this Advent if you were to pause and thank God for each person you encounter in your day and open yourself to the holiness within them? As Cora reminds us, God dwells within each of us; we are His living tabernacles. Each person you encounter is a tabernacle of God who reveals something of God’s goodness and love and mercy. 

Who are the angels in your life, those people who remind you that God is present with you? Who has God sent to be with you in your turning point moments, both high and low? Who has God used to communicate important truths to you? Perhaps your pastor, a trusted friend, or even a random stranger has said exactly what you needed to hear to turn your heart back toward God or shown up at the right moment when you needed community to keep the faith. Take a moment to thank God for these people and ask Him to bless their Advent journeys. 

The incredible truth about God that is revealed to us at Christmas is that He loves us so much, He became one of us. His desire for us is so strong that He united Himself to our very flesh. God uses any means He can to remind us of His great love and desire for relationship with us, to remind us of the dignity of our humanity because He joined Himself to it. As we draw ever nearer to Christmas, let us keep our eyes, ears, hearts and minds open to the many ways God tries to communicate that love for us each day – especially the angels He places to light our path.

Read the previous 2 weeks of Advent reflections and more here!