The angel Gabriel is one of the most well-known messengers of God, only one of two angels mentioned by name in the Bible. He is especially associated with revealing the coming of the Messiah. He first announced it to Daniel about five centuries before Christ. He revealed a time frame of the coming and what would be accomplished. Seventy weeks of years, roughly five hundred years, are given for the Messiah to come and bring about redemption from sin. He also said the redeeming work would be shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple 70 A.D. (See Daniel 9)
Sure enough, when the time had come, the same angel came to Mary in Nazareth to announce that she would bear the Christ child. She will bear a son and name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. The immediate challenge for her: she was a virgin and engaged. But the angel also appeared to Joseph to reassure him.
Years ago I wrote a song telling the story of Gabriel and Mary: the “Song of the Angel”. Here are the words, right out of Luke chapter 1.
Mary, fear not. Don’t be afraid, for you have found favor with the Lord
You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you will call his name Jesus
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest!
And the Lord will give him the throne of his father David!
Mary, the Holy Spirit will come upon you.
And the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
For the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God
For nothing is impossible with the Lord.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest!
And the Lord will give him the throne of his father David!
And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever!
And of his kingdom. There will be no end!
Yes, he will reign over the house of Jacob forever! Messiah to the Jews and Savior for all who receive him. Praise him today!
Lord, we thank you today for the message of Gabriel. We thank you for the simple faith of Mary in a difficult situation. Once again we see how your ways are higher than our ways. Thank you that Jesus went on to fulfill the prophecies and die in our place. Our thoughts go from the manger to the cross and we are grateful. Thank you that he reigns in our lives today and will reign forever.
He was born in the most humble circumstances, but today is raised to the right hand of the Father in heaven. Thank you Lord, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.