The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came CW#2
(Basque Carol; paraphrase Sabine Baring-Gould)
The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
With wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame:
"All hail,” said he to meek and lowly Mary,
Most highly favored maiden." Gloria!
"I come from heav’n to tell the Lord’s decree:
A blessed virgin mother you shall be.
Your son shall be Immanuel, by seers foretold,
Most highly favored maiden." Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;
"To me be as it pleases God," she said.
"My soul shall praise and magnify his holy name."
Most highly favored maiden." Gloria!
Of her, Immanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
Most highly favored maiden." Gloria!
What made Mary so special? Jesus.
The angel Gabriel in Luke 1 tells us that Mary found favor with God.
Her specific character, home, and spot on the timeline of eternity was just right.
Elizabeth called Mary blessed during their visit but as Simeon told her later - it wasn’t going to be easy. “A sword will pierce your own soul too.”
As the mother of Jesus, Mary got to be behind the scenes of salvation. She saw it all even when she maybe wanted to look away.
She saw God’s protection and deliverance from danger even when Jesus‘ life was sought after already as an infant.
She pondered the ways that Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with men.
She saw miracles happen before her very own eyes and she knew she couldn’t take credit for any of it.
Did her Son get these qualities from her? No.
This was the work of God.
The same boy who grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with men was mocked, rejected, and killed by men who at one time sang his praises.
As Simeon hinted, Mary saw the tender side of her grown son pierced by a sword on the cross to ensure he was indeed dead. Her soul too was pierced.
All of this she accepted as God’s will. The good along with the bad.
Mary saw Salvation won for all men including herself!
Mary saw Jesus risen from the dead. Oh how blessed she really was!
Mary was blessed because of Jesus.
What makes us so special as pastors’ wives? Jesus.
Often I laugh inside (a bit like Sarah) that I am a pastor’s wife at all. Sometimes I still can’t believe it.
Mary certainly couldn’t have guessed that she’d be the mother of God when she was a girl.
Yes our role, our lifestyle, and even where we live has been chosen by God.
What else can we do than respond like Mary, “I am the Lord’s servant.”
Consider for a moment the things we as pastors‘ wives get to experience behind the scenes...
We see God’s will still being accomplished through simple, humble, and servant believers.
We see our husbands, also sinners, declare forgiveness through Jesus in baptism, communion, and God’s Word.
We see stone hearts turned into hearts of flesh by the Holy Spirit.
Of course, in this calling we have our share of difficulty and grief too.
We see dear brothers and sisters in Christ fall away and reject Jesus.
We see our husbands or even ourselves burdened with schemes of Satan through doubt, guilt, or division.
We see believers in Christ laid to rest while we wait long expectantly to see them again in heaven.
But we are filled with the same assurance of the resurrection that Jesus gave Mary when he came alive from the tomb.
We shall not die but live! This is our Christmas song!
Because of Jesus we are certainly blessed and highly favored.
Ask the Lord
Dear Heavenly Father,
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for you are mindful of the humble state of your servant. You are the Mighty One who does great things for me - holy is your name. Your mercy extends to those who fear you, from generation to generation. You perform mighty deeds with your arm; you scatter those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. You bring down rulers from their thrones but lift up the humble. You fill the hungry with good things but send the rich away empty. You help your servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as you promised to our ancestors.
In Jesus‘ name,
Amen.
(Prayer based off of Mary’s song found in Luke 1:46-55)
