An Angel Named Gabriel

Luke 1.26-29

In the sixth month 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.

                                                               

 

One of our children’s books about the birth of Jesus includes enchanting illustrations of the characters. The people are drawn as they were: common villagers living in a desert land. On one of my favorite pages, Gabriel shows up to chat with the Virgin Mary. He comes in unlaced traveling boots scuffed with wear. His wings ruffle across the page, awesome but tousled. Gabriel’s hair flies every which way. Not the picture of a buttoned-up, traditional angel.

Gabriel sweeps into Mary’s place: “Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you!” You turn the page and Mary looks wild-eyed and shocky, with her back flat against the wall. I suspect she would have called 911 if there had been that option. The Scripture reads, “She was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” Well, I guess so! Brace yourself, young Mary, for what comes next.

The reading for today in Adam Hamilton’s Journey reminds us that God speaks into our lives through the family of humans surrounding us – family, friends, colleagues and strangers. We are each transformed, as human beings become divine agents of change. Maybe it is a word or a silence that affects us. Maybe a grace extended or mercy shown. Or when I am anxious about my job or afraid of my father’s illness, an angel with wings and halo well hidden says, “The Lord is with you.”

Frederick Buechner, one of my favorite writers, wonders about what Gabriel was thinking after his greeting to Mary.

…he only hoped she wouldn't notice that beneath the great, golden wings he himself was trembling with fear to think that the whole future of creation hung now on the answer of a girl.

For that is the point for all of us: God is at work in this world. Watch for angels on the move!

Joni Powers, FirstChurch member, author