"Merry Christmas, mortals!"
Angels are one of the most popular symbols of the Christmas season. And everybody loves angels. We think of them as messengers of hope, comfort, and healing. And sometimes, in the Bible, they are. But, Biblically, angels just as often bring the pain. No matter what they do when they appear, the first thing that happens is the person they are appearing to freaks out and falls on the ground. Usually, before the angels can deliver the real message, they have to say, "Do not be afraid." Essentially, "Please calm down, I have something important to tell you."
In the Nativity stories in Matthew and Luke, angels of course play a major role, and the most famous and inspiring is the choir of angels of that appears to the shepherds proclaiming peace on earth. But - it isn't a choir. It's an army.
"Suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." - Luke 2:13-14
Heavenly host = angel army. In the Old Testament a common name for God is Yahweh Sabbaot, the Lord of Hosts, God of the Armies.
You may have to readjust your picture - you may have pictured glowing, flow-y robed angels arranged "Living Christmas Tree"-style, sweetly singing o'er the plains.
Instead, picture an army of angels in lightning-bright clothes, maybe with flaming swords, chanting and singing at the top of their voices. A slightly different picture, isn't it?
And here's my favorite part - why do armies sing? Under what circumstances do military forces burst into song? When they are marching into battle, and when they have won a great victory. I think the angel army's Christmas song is a little of both. While we sing "Silent night, holy night," the angels sing "Glory Glory Hallelujah, His truth is marching on!"
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