By Sr. Mary Ruth
School Sisters of Christ the King
Dearest Humankind,
“Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth!” (Lk 2:14).
As the angels sang in jubilation on that holy night in Bethlehem, we once again extend Christmas greetings as you prepare to celebrate the birth of the Son of God as one of you. I, Gabriel, have been chosen to narrate this year’s angelic Christmas letter and to give you a closer view of three important scenes in which I played a part.
The close relationship between the angels and mankind goes back all the way to creation. Sadly, a fallen member of our angelic ranks tempted your first parents to commit the original sin. But we good angels have helped you from the earliest years.
Most often unseen, God the Father sometimes sends us to you in visible form, that you may hear His message more clearly. He sent angels to men such as Abraham, Jacob and Moses, to encourage them and to remind them that He remained true to His covenant. Yet the chosen people repeatedly turned away from God and came under the power of pagan nations. But all was not lost.
I, Gabriel, was sent to bear a word of hope to the prophet Daniel, in exile in Babylon. As Daniel was imploring God on behalf of His broken nation, I came to him, bearing a word from the Father. It was the hour of the evening sacrifice. I declared to Daniel that, after ‘seventy weeks of years,’ a Messiah would come to His people “to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness.” (Dn 9:24) It would be many years before this would come to pass, and as the time approached, I would be sent to speak to another man of prayer at the hour of the morning offering.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were a righteous couple of deep faith, advanced in years. They had longed for a child, but none was given them. When his priestly division was on duty, Zechariah received the opportunity to enter the temple of the Lord to burn incense. His prayers, united with those of the people outside, were heard, just like Daniel’s had been. I greeted him from beside the altar of incense, saying to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” (Lk 1:13)
Zechariah did not believe my words, so I proclaimed that he would be struck dumb until the child’s birth. On that day, Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, would bless God’s Holy Name and prophesy, “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways.” (Lk 1:76)
When John had been in his mother’s womb for six months, I was sent to Nazareth to make the long-awaited invitation. “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” I proclaimed. Although the humble virgin was troubled by my greeting, it was I, Gabriel, the mighty archangel, who stood in awe of Mary, the Immaculate Conception. I announced to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Lk 1:30-33)
Though Zechariah had scoffed at my announcement, Mary asked but one question: “How can this be, since I have no husband?” (Lk 1:34) I replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” (Lk 1:35)
With the utmost docility, she committed her whole being to the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)
As the Word became flesh within her holy womb, I departed from her. Mary’s heart would soon sing out for joy: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” (Lk 1:46-47)
Much could be said about the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy. The Son of God began working wonders even before his birth, and his presence would be revealed to Joseph, Elizabeth and John the Baptist. Soon, on that most holy night of His birth, a multitude of the heavenly host would proclaim His coming to a group of lowly shepherds. Magi from the east would come to worship the Infant Jesus, following a star.
And we angels, who always stand before the throne of God, rejoiced that He had humbled Himself to become one of you, that you might someday join us in His Heavenly Kingdom. Won’t you join Mary, Zechariah, Daniel, and all the saints and angels in singing His praise and proclaiming the Good News to all? Merry Christmas!
In the Presence of His Divine Majesty, I am,
Gabriel, Archangel
“The Strength of God”
