Herald Angel

Herald Angel Ornament

designed this Herald Angel ornament to embody my memories of singing Christmas carols on Advent Sundays and on Christmas Eve in front of the Nativity scene. Carols like Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Or It Came Upon the Midnight Clear and Angels we Have Heard on High. Additionally, I wanted to honor all little girls and boys that ever played an Angel in the Christmas Pageant. Just like I did once upon a Christmas. Certainly, this ornament is the perfect gift for all the little angels in your life. Pair it with the rest of the ornaments in this collection for a beautiful nativity scene display!

Herald Angel Ornament Design Process

Once Upon a Time Christmas Pageant

I remember playing the role of an angel in the Christmas Pageant when I was in grade school. I particularly remember my mom at the sewing machine working on the costume. Since it was a school play, they were very explicit instructions on how the costume should look like. Rather boring, I would say. All angel robes had to be pure white with a golden sash. Therefore, mine was just like that. To complement the outfit, I wore a crown of golden stars. Finally, I wore a pair of white feathered wings. I looked very heavenly like the rest of the herald angel’s choir. Although, part of me wished my outfit were brighter. As to symbolize the most joyful event of all, the Nativity of Jesus.

A Favorite Poem

In grade school, I studied the work of Venezuelan poet Andrés Eloy Blanco. I should mention that I love poetry as much as I do fantasy writing. So it is not surprising that I would dive into his poems with quite an interest. One of my favorite poems is one of his, titled Píntame Angelitos Negros (Paint me Little Black Angels). This poem should be an inspiration for all of us to love thy neighbor. As I close my eyes, I remember my nanny singing it to me as a lullaby. It warms my heart every time I read it. Maybe it will warm yours too.

The Design

When I started on the design of the Herald Angel ornament, there were two specific things I had in mind. First, I did not want boring angels, like the one I played in the Living Nativity Scene. Certainly, the angels that appeared to the shepherds must have been bold, strong, intense. So, to honor the costume I wore once upon a Christmas, I gave the angels white robes with golden accents. However, I also gave my angels capes, made from cotton fabrics in all sorts of vibrant colors. Actually, I used fuchsias, violets, ceruleans, lime greens, and vermilions.

Second, just like the words of my favorite poem read, I created two types of angels. Some, I painted with dark skin tones and dark eyes. Yes, those are my little black angels. Others, I painted with fair skin tones to resemble Caucasian ones. Finally, I gave them both daring huge hair of all different textures that enhance their unique personalities.

Adding to the angels’ non-traditional look, I made their wings from satin fabrics in deep turquoise, lavenders, and greens. At their backs, coming from under the wings, I placed ribbons of multiple colors to represent the rays of light that make them shine. To complete the character, I gave each angel a harp to play it as they sing: “Peace on the earth, goodwill to men. From heaven’s all-gracious King.”

Specifications

Year Designed

2013

Size

Actual sizes may vary slightly, approximately 3.0” x 2.0” x 3.5”

Materials

Cardboard, fabric, trims, yarn, lace, sequins, ribbons, beads, paper, paint.

Note: Given the handmade nature of the ornament, all ornaments are different. The pictures depict just one sample of the ornament.