So often Christmas cards raise complicated theological problems and this one is just of that kind. Dwelling as spirits and unfallen in sin angels remain tantalisingly familiar and unfamiliar to us. From time to time - Christmas was such a time - angels are known among mankind. Known or unknown they are able to assume human form and many of us, myself included, have had a moment or moments when we wonder whether the mysterious person we met was, in fact, an angel.
Although the Bible does not specifically reveal it to us we assume that angels are quite fit and well. If pain and disease is consequential of the Fall they could only assume a failing human body, surely, for a particular divine purpose. Enter this Tearfund Christmas card:
Even a cursory, non-medical look at those feet discloses a real problem. Have you ever seen feet more turned in (supinated) than this?
There's no operation for it. Most usually it is treated by the use of insoles or built up footwear. Here we see the serious problem this angel faces because it doesn't wear footwear, flies a lot and anyway is a spirit. As far as I can see this is untreatable.
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