Do angels actually exist or are they just a myth, a nice tradition, fancy decorations to hang on the Christmas tree? Some people have seen angels — and not just in biblical times. Have you ever wished to see one yourself? A children's nurse, forced to flee with the children in her care at the end of World War II, tells her story:

Crisis
During those days in May 1945 we were overrun by Russian troops for the second time. Together with our children, who had been gathered from various hospitals, we had found a temporary lodging in a small makeshift kindergarten. Since some of the infants had been born prematurely and needed round-the-clock care, it was necessary to work at night — though owing to lack of electricity our light came from candle stubs. As the only house in the entire place with lights on, we were exposed to great danger. Yet people called it 'the island of peace'. Consequently, the stream of women and girls seeking refuge grew from night to night — and so, too, the danger.

One day a lady came with her girl and boy, about eight and twelve years old, and begged us to take the children. With heavy hearts we took them in, not knowing whether they would ever be reunited with their mother.

Taller than the Roof
The two newcomers, who had had a totally unreligious upbringing, had never seen anyone pray. That evening, as we prayed with the older children, the new boy instead of folding his hands stared into the distance with wide open eyes. We sang, 'That we in safety now may rest, angelic hosts the Lord does send, placing their golden weapons around our bed.' When we said Amen, the boy came up to me spontaneously and drew me out of the building into the open air. He kept tapping his breastbone and said, 'Up to here. It came up to here on them.' I asked him what he meant. Then, pointing to the guttering on the roof of the building, he repeated, 'The guttering came up to here on them!' I asked further, 'Who are you talking about?' Then he told me that on each corner of the building he had seen a man all ablaze — and these men were so tall that they towered above the roof. Now it was clear to me why this house could be called 'the island of peace'.

A Guard of Angels
Holy angels watch over each one of us. They are called to serve us. In these increasingly turbulent times, be assured that the angels are active, using their heavenly power to overcome difficulties, ward off acute danger and intervene so that we experience protection. So let us ask God, our heavenly Father, for angelic protection, thanking Him and trusting it will come. He can never do enough when it comes to helping a child of His. 'He will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways' (Psalm 91:11 RSV).