Here is something I have never seen before - an ANGEL cloud. For that matter, I have never seen an angel before. We take a lot of things on faith and don't realize it; I remember being told as a kid that the man in the moon was formed from green cheese-- and believed it (for awhile). Then, there are angels; God's heavenly messengers. I have never seen one, so I can guess the cloud looks something like one. When I think of angels, I think of this passage from the Gospel of Luke...
Luke, Chapter 2
1 Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6 While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. 9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. 11 For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” 13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
on earth peace, good will toward men.”
I can only imagine what it must be like to actually SEE an ANGEL, so I am not in the least surprised that the shepherds were terrified. But the news the angel announced was (and still is) wonderful. Consider, The Creator of all the universe took on human form to help us with our transgressions (sins) against God. It is no wonder that at this proclamation a multitude of heavenly hosts praised God. If beings who are in the presence of God realized that something extraordinary was happening, we should as well, because we are the beneficiaries of the sacrifice that he made thirty some years later!!! Now, the cloud in the picture may just be a coincidence and the real ANGELS may look different, but the important thing here is that God loves me and really did do what the Scriptures said HE did. I don't know about you- but I will continue to look at the clouds and wonder why God would even want to love me. I believe HE does and that's what really matters!!! Are you looking at the clouds yet; if not, today is a good time to start!!!