Heavenly Guardians
Heavenly Guardians
Once more, we have come to the end of this year’s public events in the Castle, but I hope that everyone who visited us really enjoyed themselves. Our theme this year was very traditional Victorian with lots of sumptuous reds and golds and, with a nod to Prince Albert who introduced the concept to the UK, even more Christmas trees than usual. We decorated 61 trees! Inspired by “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, little books decorated one of the trees in the library, whilst Mrs Beeton made an appearance in the dining room with lots of old-fashioned jelly moulds.
My husband was particularly happy because he remembers that in the time of his grandfather, the same box of Christmas decorations was brought down from the castle attics every year and they were all red and gold. Over the years he has quite understood that we should revisit our themes for our decorations in the castle each year for our visitors, but he was very comfortable when on such familiar ground as this year. Luckily, next year, whilst it will be very different, it will also be traditional in the sense in that it will centre around a very white and snowy theme.
This is also the time of year when all the Carol services take place in the various local churches. In them we both listen to and sing about the birth of Christ - the Prince of Peace. As with today, it was a challenging world in those ancient times with unaccountable acts of anger and brutality so the promise of light and hope for the future, in this case foretold by the wise men, was particularly welcome. Many of us today would love to find a few wise men with a similar message… plus ça change.
Singing the familiar tunes, angels play a prominent part: “the angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around”. We are encouraged to “hear the angel voices”, “the angelic host proclaim his birth,” and “In the Bleak Midwinter” “Angels and Archangels May have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim Thronged the air”. The original church here at Highclere was named St Michael and all Angels and most years in our Christmas decorations, angels quietly make their way through many of the Castle rooms.
In my imagination, angels have rather shifted in shape and space as I have got older but have always been a bridge between God and humanity, able to show God’s message even if they cannot give instructions. I’m quite sure previous civilizations also looked for “angels” or similar beings to travel alongside us
Statues of angels are everywhere and not only in historic art. Here in the UK, they have a well-known contemporary presence in the work of Anthony Gormley who created one of the largest art works in Britain: “The Angel of the North”. With a wingspan of 177ft, it dominates the landscape around Gateshead in the north of England where it is seen by an estimated 33 million people every year due to its proximity to the A1 and A167 roads and the East Coast main line railway service. When asked about it, Anthony Gormley said “People are always asking, why an angel? The only response I can give is that no-one has ever seen one and we need to keep imagining them.”
Guardian angels are an even more comforting thought - there to protect us as we travel through life both metaphorically and on our actual journey. The 13th century Christian scholar Thomas Aquinas wrote, "On this road man is threatened by many dangers both from within and without, and therefore as guardians are appointed for men who have to pass by an unsafe road, so an angel is assigned to each man as long as he is a wayfarer."
It is an immensely comforting thought that there may be someone who is always looking out for you. To quote the clergyman Phillip Brooks “The earth has grown old with its burden of care, but at Christmas it always is young... when the song of angels is sung."
Happy Christmas.
51 Comments
Merry Christmas from Arkansas, USA! Looking forward to visiting Highclere in 2026.
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas to all.
fondly Jenny Modave
Lady Carnarvon, Just want to wish you Lord Carnarvon, and Edward and all your family a very Happy Christmas and a good and prosperous new year.
You are very kind - likewise
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Lady Carnarvon. Let's pray for Peace in the new year.
Christmas is always a time of joy and love. Also a very hectic time with getting gifts for the family, sending Christmas cards to friends and preparing food for all the family who come on Christmas Eve to eat and open presents. Our tradition is we go from the youngest to the oldest in opening the gifts. After all the gifts are opened everyone packs the gifts and take out containers with food and goes home. My Guardian Angel works overtime, they are most likely saying to them selves “oh no not again”. Wishing all who subscribe to your blog a very Blessed and Happy Christmas!
It has been hectic! every year i Mean to do better... and fail!
Beautiful photos! Happy Christmas to you and yours.
Vielen herzlichen Dank für die tollen Berichte. Frohe Weihnachten wünsche ich aus Stuttgart, Germany
Danke sehr!
This is lovely and quite reassuring. Thank you and a very Happy Christmas from Hanover, Virginia
A very Happy Holiday Season to everyone at Highclere Castle.
Thank you for the lovely message and happy
Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas
I always enjoy reading your stories…
Merry Christmas from Fitchburg, MA USA…
Thank you for your cheering thoughts and insights. There are times we all believe in angels! Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!
It seems a good idea to me!
Lady Carnarvon,
This story about angels is really needed during these times - to believe that there is a spirit of peace and comfort hovering around us gives a sense of comfort to our troubled minds. Thanks you for your gift to us each Monday morning. I hope you and your family have a Happy Christmas and a blessed year to come.
Martha G
I love the thought they cam to quiet troubled minds...
Merry Christmas and thank you for your wonderful blog that brightens every Monday! Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2026!
Thank you reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas.
Merry Christmas
M. Mosely
Wilmington, North Carolina
Best holiday wishes from Vermont (USA) to all at during this beautiful time of year.
Richard
Merry Christmas
Best holiday wishes from Vermont (USA) to all at during this beautiful time of year.
Richard
A very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2026 to all at Highclere Castle
Wie schön das wir immer wieder kleine Einblicke bekommen! Ihnen und Ihrer Familie die besten Wünsche und ein gesegnetes Fest 🎄👼
61 decorated trees...and I thought I was an over achiever with 7! Happy Christmas to you and yours from St. Louis, Missouri!
7 sounds a lot!
Happy Chirstmas to you and all your family and staff at the Castle. I look forward to your Monday blogs in the coming year. I hope that 2026 brings you peace, health
and properity!
Cheers!
Donna
Chicagoland, USA
How very kind - thank you, happy Christmas and best with for 2026
What a beautiful read. Thank you and wishing you and your family Christmas Blessings.
Thank you, Lady Carnarvan. Your message was exactly what I needed today. God bless you and yours from Pennsylvania USA.
Happy Christmas to you all at. HighClere
Thank you for the welcome blogs ever. Monday x
Happy Christmas to you and lord Carnarvon and your staff lam fan of Downton Abbey and highcelere castle
Merry Christmas 🎄 Lady Carnarvon.
Merry Christmas to you, your family and all the staff that keep Highclere running. May you have an even better New Year.
Robert Douch
All the best to you and yours, Lady Carnarvon. May the remaining days of the Christmas season be calm and bright, and the New Year welcome you with warmth and cheer. 🕊️🎄🎁🎅🏻
With gratitude for the opportunity to see these posts and enjoy your seasons of activities and observances from here in the US in Summerville, South Carolina.💞
In the busy run-up to Christmas, how did you manage to write such a thoughtful message? Well worth re-reading, for enjoyment of style, and for your personal statement on angels. A very Happy Christmas!
Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Love the beautiful pictures and message. Do you feel the presence of spirits there during the holidays or anytime?
I always feel spirit around the holidays when I’m Decorating and also on birthdays.
I would love to come and visit the castle, especially at Christmas.
I believe in angels of all kinds. Your messages are always enlightening and uplifting. Thank you! Happy Christmas to you and yours. Blessings on the New Year!
Thank you, happy Christmas and best wishes for 2026
Merry Christmas to you and yours from Kentucky USA, horse country!
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born king.”
Merry Christmas to all from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Thank you for another inspiring read this morning. Christmas is our favourite season because it tends to bring out kindness and thoughtfulness in people. We too take comfort in the feeling there are guardian angels watching over us - we Welsh have always had that strong belief. We wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and may 2026 bring more peace and joy around the World
Merry Christmas from Dawsonville GA, from a native New Yorker and a misplaced Yorkshireman!
Merry Christmas from Dawsonville GA, from a native New Yorker and a misplaced Yorkshireman!
Thank you, Lady Carnarvon, for your beautiful piece about angels. I believe in them!
Best wishes to all at the Castle, and to each of your many readers from California (USA) for a blessed Christmas!
I like how you ended this post with a specially comforting quote from Phillip Brooks!
No matter how hard a year I've had, I always feel my hope is renewed at Christmas. A blessed and
happy Christmas to you and yours Lady Carnarvon !
-from Buffalo, New York
Merry Christmas from New Hampshire, USA. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year, with lots more wonderful blogs, I hope!
Margo
Happy Christmas and a Wonderful New Year! Angels are everywhere in the World. Almost Every Culture has Angels, they are a constant. Comfort and Joy, Peace and Love. Seasons Greeting. Cindy
Happy christmas!
A very Merry Christmas and a wish for a peaceful New Year 2026 for all of us!
Love from Susan Davis in Bandon....that is Bandon, Oregon, USA!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! from Midlothian, Virginia.
We will never forget our visit to Highclere Castle this past July.
-The Burfoots
Merry Christmas from Canada.
What a marvelous message, Carnarvon… thank you! And reading all the wonderful comments from blog followers is just as inspiring. Thank you, one and all. Best wishes for peace and blessings in 2026 — from Laura Barger in Chicagoland, USA. Happy Christmas!
Happy Christmas Lady Carnarvon! Thank you as always for your words.
Happy Christmas Eve, Lady Carnarvon,
Angels are a wonderful thought. Catholic teaching says we each have a guardian angel, and I hope you have a fantastic Christmas.
Mine will be keeping me company as I provide music for Christmas Eve and Chistmas Day on the piano at my local parish.
A beautiful written piece for this time of year. I firmly believe I have a Guardian Angel and I also keep a glass angel hanging in my window. Wishing your family, and all your readers, a merry Christmas and much love in the coming New Year
Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and happy New Year to you.
Thank you, happy Christmas and best wishes for 2026
Thank you Lady Carnarvon for your words on guardian angels and for hosting Downton Abbey for so many years, a fine morality and family series ,It will be missed!. I watched the finale tonight on a rainy Christmas night in S. California. And yes, angels do really exist. And your home must be magical with 61 Christmas trees! I wish you and your family Very HAPPY HOLI DAYS & PEACE & BLESSINGS IN THE NEW YEAR. .
I hope y'all had a very Merry Christmas. It means a lot to me that you would recognize Jesus as the Prince of Peace. It seems this world would rather turn from Him than to Him. He is our only hope.
Your blog is something I read with anticipation. Downton Abbey is my favorite TV show, and I've enjoyed seeing the real castle and meeting y'all through your blog. There's not much of a chance that I would ever get to visit. May God bless you in 2026!
Shelia from Tennessee USA
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How beautiful!
A very Happy Christmas to you and your family Lady Carnarvon!
You write like an Angel! 💫