Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it- Angel

The Challenge to become a Snow Angel this Winter

Alexandra Morar

*Photo taken in Boardman, OH (Dec. 2025)*

With wintertime upon us, most folks cozy up by a fire with fuzzy socks and mugs of delicious hot cocoa. As temperatures lower, snow beautifully blankets the ground and lays a crisp, sparkling outline on the tree branches. Kids race outside to catch snowflakes, build personalized Frostys, and lie in the ground to create snow angels.

Snow angels are not just for kids on a Snow Day. In fact, I challenge kids and adults alike this winter season to make snow angels. According to Rev. Raymond Petrucci, forming snow angels is our opportunity to connect with the Lord. In a 2009 devotional, he writes:

“With the accumulation of just a few inches of snow, the mind of a child awakens with creative delight. What is it to be: a snowball, a snowman, or a snow angel? Essentially, there is something connective between creator and creation in the making of a snow angel. One must commit his or her entire body to the work: lying down on the snow, spreading the feet a little, waving straightened arms from the side to over the head plowing snow as one proceeds, then standing up and viola - a snow angel. Although instantly vulnerable to a gust of wind or the warmth of the sun, the angel presents a magical vision. A feeling of joy touches the heart of the young one, for something beautiful has been given to the world.”

*You can read the full devotional here.

Our God is an artist. Ephesians 2:10 refers to us, His creation, as the Lord’s masterpiece. The Psalms and other Old Testament passages further describe how God designed us with His hands.

“For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well” (Psalm 139: 14-15).

“Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8).

“So God created humans in his image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).

So, as you partake in your challenge (whether a snow, or maybe mud angel?), think about connecting to God. God shaped us with such intentionality. We can act as an artist as we invest our entire selves into forming works of art. We can create, just as we ourselves were created with intentionality, effort, and detail. Perhaps utilize snow angel making as a time of prayer or meditation.

Snow contains a great amount of symbolism as well. It is pure, white, covers death. As the Christmas season continues to surround us, we celebrate the birth of our savior and rejoice as He covers our sin.

“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.”

~Hymn Jesus Paid it All, by Elvina M. Hall

Challenge Part 2: Make Yourself a Snow Angel

Now, for part two of the challenge: rather, readers, than just making snow angels, how about we become snow angels?

“Snow angels come to call during the happiest season of all, they bring love and peace to all those around. They sprinkle sweetly fallen snow from the night sky, as they hover in the clouds watching over you and I.”

~Anonymous

Part two of the challenge: act like a snow angel to others. I encourage you all to do a random act of kindness.

Shout out to the most recent angels in my life: Cathy the Benevolent Bus Driver, Paul the Persererant Protector of Imagination, Anthony the First Mate and Nevaeh’s father, Marvis the loyal Knight of Queen’s, Ellen the Heartful Home, and Valerie the Angel Godmother.

On a late trip back to my house from work, I was running low on cash for the bus. Cathy, noticing me scrambling for change in my pocket, allowed me to ride her bus for free. She has no idea how much the kind gesture meant to me. I gave her a poinsettia branch as a thank you, and hope I can return the favor to someone in the future.

Our second angel spotlight is of Fringe Reviewer, Paul. This past August, I was an official reviewer for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Fringe work is glamorous in every way, aside from the world’s standpoint. Writers and actors alike are unpaid; in fact, artists often spend all of the years’ vacation money on housing and show performances. Despite the financial hole, this position is one of the most fulfilling I have ever expereinced. Paul is living evidence that the arts are what matter in life. While he did act as my Fringe angel, offering lifechanging advice and perspectives, and even a free pass to the boujie Assembly Club, his willingness to go the extra mile for others is nothing short or an angels’ actions.

One day, a writer friend was struggling and shared about her desire to have a knight in shining armor. Paul, recognizing the pain, took his actions to the extreme. Not only did he buy a token knight in shining armor, he acted as one. Paul, living in England, took a DAY TRIP to South Africa. Yes, A SINGLE DAY! He surprised his friend with a visit and spent the entire day catching up. How far would you travel to help a stranger? Friend? Paul, I cannot thank you enough for all of the inspiration and hope you give to me and this world. I wish to be just as selfless and thoughful as you.

Buses always bring angels- Returning to Pittsburgh from a Waynesburg trip, I once again relied on my old friend, the Greyhound. During the ride, I sat next to Anthony, the First Mate for a shipping company. Anthony explained how he works on the boat for an entire month, has a month off, and so forth. He asked about what I do, and I shared of my student, teaching, and travel endeavors. Like so many strangers before, Anthony claimed, “I knew it, I can tell you’re a teacher,” In response to my initial reaction, he quickly remarked, “There’s absolutely no reason to be ashamed of that.” He is right- the call to be a teacher is among the most noble of roles. However, the praise of my teaching duty was not the only gift I received from Anthony.

Anthony explained to me what truly matters in life, family. And, the way he doted over his daughter, I could tell he treasures this value deep within his heart. Before we parted, Anthony looked me dead in the eyes, and with tears of admiration and hope, stated, “I hope my daughter turns out just like you.” He also urged me not to settle, and make sure “Mr. Right” treated me the way I deserved. My heart stopped at his comments- a stranger, who knew me for just about an hour, wants his kids to turn out like me. Anthony, I pray I can teach your daughter in some capacity one day. The work you do is important- thank you for being a thoughtful stranger and one of the best dads in this world.

My next angel: Marvis. Marvis truly saved my butt at Queen’s University. Due to some travel date mix ups, I was not able to attend my actual graduation ceremony. HOWEVER, Marvis saved the day. He lent me graduation attire to take pictures, and even gave me a frame for my diploma. I thanked him with a card, and hope to pass on his kindness to someone in the future.

The term angel is the inherent essence of this next helper, Ellen. Last December, I traveled to London to help the nuclear physicist Alan Flowers move houses. After completing the decluttering process, Alan sent me on a train to Edinburgh to visit his wonderful wife, Ellen. Ellen has no idea how magical she made my Christmas. From the joy of staying in one of my favorite cities and getting to watch her dogs- my heart was full. Yet, little did I know how much more I was about to cherish that weekend stay. Ellen feels a drawing connection with others, and the love in her heart is so evidently poured out. We stayed up all night having sleepover girl chat- she really wanted to know who I was, and I just admired her servants’ heart to all of the students she welcomed in in the past. Ellen then gave me 10pounds to spend at the Christmas Market. I used some of the money to buy a momentum that would last- a book. A German Christmas story book I read again this year. Ellen re-inspired me to see the beauty of others and actually take the time to connect. When we pause in life, we can hear others’ hearts and embrace the power of our own. Thank you Ellen for reconnecting me with the energy in this world- I hope I can love others the way you do.

And lastly, Valerie, my Angel Godmother. Valerie’s Christmas present to me this year was a plane ticket home- home to Comber, Northern Ireland. Adopting me into the family is the greatest act of friendship I could ever receive. As Tim Keller wisely stated,

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything.”

This family gladly welcomes my quirkiness, my nerdiness, my energetic enthusiasm, my wild ideas, and my music. Even in the midst of mistakes and embarrassments, they love me and not only put up with me, but want me to be here. They see me as a joy with an “infectious smile” (Pastor Mark Brown). A simple offer of an attic weekend stay, turned into me moving in, being fed and poured into, and joining for countless projects and adventures. They have no idea how much joy they have brought me. I pray I can pass on even just a slight ray of this light to others in the future.

*Me on the camino, only making it because of countless other angels helping me… (Apr. 2025)*

And so, this winter, I am not asking you to adopt someone (although that would be amazing). I am simply challenging you to a random act of kindness, no matter how large or small. Just as God created us, and sprinkles flakes of blessings in our lives, I hope you can embrace the Lord’s light this season and be an angel for someone.

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Photos of my past three winters and current one: