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Imperceptible Halos

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Pam

Looking at medieval art, of religious devotion, you see many random halos on various characters from the accounts of Jesus’ life. Because we can’t recognize who is who, the artist is assigning diety. Mary usually has a halo but she is never mentioned as part of the church past the gospels. She is not mentioned in the second coming. She was a worthy servant and has great honor but we do not view her as deity. She was 100% human carrying deity for nine months and carry for her son for 33 years. We are aware that Jesus was close to John and then the other three in His closest circle. My guess is that the few men around Jesus who have halos in art might be them. The artwork can be resourced but I know many faithful followers of Jesus and have never seen a halo or aura or even a glow. I think it could be in the category of taking license. We do carry Holy Spirit within us but cannot explain how it might work. God’s Spirit actively lives inside every follower of Christ, guiding, empowering, and transforming their lives without mention of a halo or glow. We know that God is all God. Jesus is 100% God and, on earth, was 100% human at the same time. (I love what God does with math). Do angels have halos? The depiction of angels with halos is another convention used in art and, no, the word “halo” is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, there are descriptions of divine radiance and shining faces but no halos. I read today that the halo is both pagan and non-Christian in its origin. We can smile at the cute cherubs drawn by the faithful but the halo isn’t really present however very cute in Christmas pageants made from pipe cleaners.

"Thoughts from a genuinely evaluative mind."

Pam writes so that must make her a writer. Recently retired, she can now fill days with family, friends, missions, writing, creating, and showing up for whomever needs her. Pam loves the Lord and people. The Bible is God’s love letter to us (and who does not need more love) so she studies and writes some more.

Pam lives in the Pacific Northwest but was home-grown in Southern California. She attended San Jose Bible College and finished a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry at UCLA. She became a teacher, then a Research and Development Chemist, then she built two successful real estate businesses in two states. Pam also pursued study at Fuller Theological Seminary and just completed six months serving in missions abroad.

Pam has two amazing children, married to two precious in-laws, and five sweet grandchildren. Pam is a gifted connector and communicator and the Northwest has the perfect climate for staying inside and writing – or baking! She has been writing since a wee one and is currently converting many years of blogging, by topic, into ten books. The first is a collection from 2011 titled, Beautiful Enough. The second is a yearly day-timer titled, Weekly Planner - Lessons in Life, Glory, and Grace. Number three is in progress with the working title, Christmas Today.

Ten facts about Pam in no particular order:

  1. On the team that developed an insulation for the Alaskan oil pipeline.
  2. Loves looking at homes, decorating, and has flipped five homes.
  3. Likes being tall.
  4. Films have helped define her vocabulary.
  5. Comes from Colorado tenement farmers with history traced to Wales.
  6. Was lost but now is found.
  7. Baking makes her happy – as does eating sweets with coffee, of course.
  8. She thinks mission work is the most important work in the world.
  9. The church started in Rome so she is learning Italian.
  10. Pam is a work in progress!

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:4

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