1. ANGELS

2. WHAT ARE ANGELS?  What do you think angels are?  Where do you think thy come from?  What do angels do?  What do angels look like?

3. ???QUESTIONS ???  Why would you think about angels?  When might others think about angels?  Would you like to see an angel? Why? Why not?  Do you think other people might want to see an angel?  What might it say?  What difference might an angel make?

4. Abrahamic Faiths  These traditions all share the image of Earth, Heaven and Hell.  Within this belief system angels play the role of ‘messengers’ or ‘revealers of truth’

5. Abrahamic Faiths  Judaism: An angel appeared to Daniel telling him of the coming of the Messiah.  Christianity: The Angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharius and Mary.  Islam: The Angel Gabriel (Jibril) appeared to Muhammad (pbuh) to convey the words of the Qur’an.

6. The ANGEL GABRIEL  According to historic resources Archangel Gabriel is the ruler of the 1 st Heaven and is closest to mankind.

7. Musical angels? I’m thrown and overblown with bliss I’m thrown and overblown with bliss There must be an angel Playing with my heart. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart I’m loving angels instead. Robbie Williams Robbie Williams

8. Why are angels important to Christians in the Christmas story?  Why do you think there are angels in the story?  How effective were the angels at communicating?  Is their role important?  Would it matter if angels did not appear in the story? Why? Why not?  Would the story be different?

9. Today …  Have your ideas of angels changed? How?  Do you think God would choose the same method of communication today? Why? Why not?  What would an angel look like today?  Do you think we would recognise one?  Do you think we would listen to one?  What kind of thing might an angel say today?