Alternate Titles:
The Angel Gabriel
The Angel Gabriel From Heaven CameWords: Basque carol, paraphrased by Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)
Originally based on Angelus Ad Virginem, Anonymous 13th or 14th Century LatinMusic: Gabriel’s Message, a Basque carol
Sheet Music available from ChristmasCarolMusic.org and Cyberhymnal
Performed by Sting on “A Very Special Christmas”Also: Angelus Ad Virginem
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer
Meter: 77 77 88 11 6 7 61. The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow his eyes as flame
“All hail” said he “thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!2. “For know a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emanuel, by seers foretold
Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!3. Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said,
“My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.”
Most highly favored lady. Gloria!4. Of her, Emanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:1
“Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!
The beginning of Christmas starts with Gabriel visiting Mary.
On Advent 19, I shared some of my thoughts about Mary.
This girl, engaged to be married, in a very patriarchal society, gets a visit from an angel.
Gabriel, no less!
Not only is she told SHE will conceive without a man involved to give birth to God’s own son, she also hears that her barren cousin is going to have a baby in her old age.
The timing…Mary had to be old enough to carry a baby, and Elizabeth had to be able to carry a baby, because they were to be contemporaries. God’s plans are NOT thwarted by our timing! With God, nothing is impossible!
So, knowing that this puts her life in danger, Mary says this:
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
When she meets with Elizabeth, she says:
Mary’s Song
Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said:“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
I spend much time doubting.
Nothing in my life is as monumental as Elizabeth getting pregnant, or Mary carrying the son of God.
But, part of this story is a very precious promise:
Luke 1:37
For nothing will be impossible with God.
A contemporary song is Breathe of Heaven, sung by Amy Grant.
This is a very unique part of the Christmas story. I draw much hope from the story of Mary.
Merry Christmas!
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
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