Christmas Journey: The Chosen Angel

"The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him 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 ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1: 26-33

St. Gabriel was the angel chosen by God to announce the Good News. We find him in the Gospel of St. Luke visiting Zechariah, the husband of Elizabeth. He appears to Zechariah and announces to him: "Your prayer has been answered." We may think that Zechariah's prayer was for an heir but in reality, his prayer was for atonement. The gift of a son is only a sign and a preparation for what is to come. His son, John the Baptist, will call God's people to the way of God and will prepare them for the coming of Jesus. The real answer to Zechariah's prayer for atonement is Jesus Christ, and, as with all of God's works, this blessing reaches far beyond anything that he had ever imagined.

St. Gabriel is the messenger of the Most High, and is bearer of the Good News, the message of Salvation. After Zechariah, the Archangel St. Gabriel brings the Good News to Mary, the mother of Our Lord and Savior. "Hail, Full of Grace. The Lord is with you." The angel reveals to Mary the mission for which She had been chosen by God. And Mary answers: "Behold, I am the handmaid of The Lord. Be it done unto Me, according to Your word" (Luke 1:38). At that moment She becomes the Ark of The New Covenant, the Bearer of God's love, and St. Gabriel falls on his knees in front of Her to adore God Made Man. 

St. Gabriel is not only the first announcer of the Good News of Salvation, when he speaks to Zechariah, but now he becomes the first adorer of Christ, God made Man. And "Mary is blessed because she believed. By faith she accepted the Word of the Lord and conceived His Incarnate Word. Her faith has shown her that the thrones of the powerful of this world are temporary, while God's throne is the only rock that does not change or fall." Pope Benedict XVI

Gabriel means "the Power of God." St. Gabriel is the angel chosen by God to reveal to us God's power who turns darkness into light, sin into righteousness, sorrow into joy, and death into life. God can become small so that nothing is insignificant to him.

As we prepare our hearts to receive baby Jesus this Christmas, let us pray to St. Gabriel to reveal to us the Good News. Let us pray for his intercession so that our hearts are open to receive God's message of Good News to us.

"O Blessed Archangel Gabriel, we ask you to intercede for us at the throne of God in our present necessities. We pray that just like you announced to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation, that you open our hearts to receive God's message to us. Help us to sing the praises of God forever in the land of the living. Amen."

Sources: 

1-The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible

2-Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

3-"Entertaining Angels" by Mike Aquilina (Catholic Scripture Study International 2013)

4-"Angels and Saints" by Scott Hahn 2014

5-"Angels Throughout the Ages" by Dr. Richard Bulzacchelli (Catholic Scripture Study International 2013)