In the beginning, before the creation of Heaven and Earth, God

Host: The room feels still, the soft light from the lamp casting a gentle glow across the space. Outside, the world is quiet, the last traces of daylight fading as the evening takes over. Jeeny sits on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her, a cup of tea resting in her hands, her gaze distant but thoughtful. Jack, standing by the window, looks out at the darkening world outside, lost in contemplation. The atmosphere is calm, perfect for a reflective conversation.

Jeeny: “Jack, I came across a quote today from Sabine Baring-Gould that really made me think,” she says softly, pulling him from his thoughts. “He said, ‘In the beginning, before the creation of Heaven and Earth, God made the angels; free intelligences and free wills; out of His love He made them, that they might be eternally happy. And that their happiness might be complete, He gave them the perfection of a created nature; that is, He gave them freedom.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He turns slowly, considering her words. “That’s such a profound way of thinking about the creation of angels. He’s saying that freedom was a central part of their existence from the very beginning. It’s not just about happiness or perfection; it’s about choice — the ability to choose, to have free will, even in the context of divine love. It almost makes me think that freedom is essential for true happiness, for the angels to truly exist in their full potential.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Freedom is a gift that God gave them so that they could choose to be happy, to experience love, and to grow in that love. If happiness is just imposed on them without the ability to choose, it wouldn’t be genuine. It’s like how we, as humans, often find deeper meaning in things when we choose them freely. The ability to make choices, to have free will, is what allows us to fully experience the goodness of life.”

Host: The light in the room seems to deepen, as though the conversation is uncovering a deeper layer of understanding. Jeeny speaks with a quiet certainty about the role of freedom in both the creation of angels and the essence of happiness. Jack stands still, reflecting on the idea that freedom is the bedrock of love and happiness — something that cannot be forced, but must be chosen.

Jack: “It’s almost like freedom is a necessary component for any relationship to be genuine, even in the divine realm. If the angels are free to choose, then their love and happiness come from their own will, not from being made to love or be happy. It makes me think about how choice and freedom create a space for authenticity, for real connection.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s not just about being given the ability to choose, but being given the opportunity to choose love, happiness, or any other experience freely. Without that freedom, our choices would be meaningless. In giving the angels freedom, God gave them the chance to truly experience life, to be free to choose joy and fulfillment in a meaningful way.”

Host: The conversation takes on a more contemplative tone, as the idea of freedom and choice becomes the core theme of their exchange. The notion that freedom is essential not just for happiness but for the authenticity of love and existence is a powerful thought, one that transcends religious context and speaks to the human experience.

Jack: “I think it’s interesting that freedom is presented as part of the angels’ perfection, almost as though it’s an inherent part of their created nature. It’s not something separate or secondary to their happiness, but a core aspect of it. It makes me wonder how often we think of freedom as just a political or societal concept, but in this sense, it’s about the very foundation of our existence and happiness.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Freedom is intertwined with our nature itself. It’s not just an external force, but something that resides at the very core of who we are. To truly be happy, to truly love, we must have the ability to choose. It’s a reminder that freedom is not just a right or privilege, but a necessity for any authentic experience of life.”

Host: The quiet in the room deepens, as if the weight of their words has settled into a deeper understanding. Jeeny and Jack reflect on the idea that freedom is not just a political concept, but a fundamental aspect of human existence and happiness — a gift that allows us to experience life in its fullest form. Sabine Baring-Gould’s words offer a perspective that freedom is not something external or accidental, but an intrinsic part of the creation of both angels and humans — something that enables true love, joy, and fulfillment.