Ancilla Domini - Rupert Bunny - 1896

stars and angels

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“Love came down at Christmas; love all lovely, love divine; love was born at Christmas, stars and angels gave the sign.” Christina G. Rossetti










Angel, Emanuel Ungaro in Vogue Paris-  January 1971,



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the Annunciation, ii

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the intrigue of the Annunciation- Annuntiatio nativitatis Christi-with its mystery, symbolism, interior scenes (a fascination of mine)
and the multitude of artists spanning centuries of canvas and paint evoking Mary, Gabriel and the Lily.

Ancilla Domini ~ Rupert Bunny, 1896.

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the Annunciation, i

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  American artist John Collier commissioned by St. Gabriel's Church in McKinney, Texas,2000.

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les anges

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It is not known precisely where angels dwell - 

whether in the air, the void, or the planets.  

It has not been God's pleasure that we should be informed of their abode.  ~Voltaire

angels by Givenchy


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& lo

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Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth
Unseen, both when we wake and when we sleep.
~John Milton, Paradise Lost

angel- photograph by Nadia Wicker

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les Anges

 

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Where lambs have nibbled, silent moves

The feet of angels bright;

Unseen they pour blessing,

And joy without ceasing,

On each bud and blossom, 

And each sleeping bosom. 

William Blake

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photograph by Deborah Turbeville

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a BarBaRella Christmas

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I just got back from a lovely trip
along the Milky Way
I stopped off at the North Pole
to spend a holiday.
I called on dear old Santa Claus
to see what I could see
He took me in his workshop
And told his plans to me, so... 
Gillespie Coots

image from BARBARELLA

He's gonna find out who's naughty or nice.

& lo

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying- angel-Ossie Clark .

les Anges

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angel photographed by Bert Stern, VOGUE December, 1962.
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& lo

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And the angel said unto them, 

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Angel- Tina Chow- photographed in Madame Gres

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& lo

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Photograph by Richard Avedon We trust in plumed procession For such the angels go - Rank after Rank, with even feet - And uniforms of Snow. ~Emily Dickinson     Angel, Photograph by Richard Avedon, Jean Paul Gaultier 2000 White feather evening cape ,Collection of Elizabeth Taylor Christie's . .

les anges

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 Les anges dans nos campagnes
Ont entonné l'hymne des cieux
Et l'écho de nos montagnes
Redit ce chant mélodieux

Gloria in excelsis Déo!

Gloria in excelsis Déo!

The Angels were all singing out of tune,
And hoarse with having little else to do,
Excepting to wind up the sun and moon
Or curb a runaway young star or two.
~Lord Byron

Angel by Alexander McQueen

 The angels in our fields

 Started singing the heavenly hymn

 And the echo of our mountains

Repeat this melodious song.

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& lo

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8	¶ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9	And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
10	And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11	For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12	And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13	And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14	Glory to God in the highest, & on Earth peace, Good Will Toward Men.

photograph of Raquel Zimmermann by Mario Sorrenti, wearing Alexander McQueen

an army (Luk.2:13; Rev.19:19) of good angels mentioned in the Bible. It is led either by the Archangel Michael, Jesus, or by God himself.