The Messenger of Good News
Born in Heaven, Gabriel is one of the archangels mentioned in the Bible. His name means “God is my strength.” As God’s special messenger, Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary and revealed that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus Christ, the son of God. This announcement is known as the Annunciation.
Gabriel first appears by name in the Old Testament book of Daniel, where he explains Daniel’s visions to him. Some time later, Gabriel is sent to the priest Zechariah to tell him that his wife Elizabeth will bear a son, John the Baptist. Zechariah doubts Gabriel’s prophecy initially but is struck dumb until his son’s birth.
Finally, Gabriel delivers his most famous message directly to Mary, who is engaged to Joseph. Appearing to her in Nazareth, Gabriel greets Mary warmly and tells her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Gabriel informs a puzzled Mary that she will conceive and bear a son even though she is a virgin. When Mary questions how this can be, Gabriel explains that the child will be conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and will be called the Son of God. After giving her this momentous announcement, Gabriel departs.
Mary’s meeting with Gabriel made her the first human to directly interact with an angel. Their encounter has been memorialized in art through the centuries, including famous paintings by Botticelli, da Vinci and Caravaggio. Gabriel’s declaration to Mary is known as the Annunciation and celebrated by Christians on March 25th.
Gabriel appears one more time in the New Testament, visiting Joseph in a dream after Mary becomes pregnant. Joseph is troubled, thinking Mary has been unfaithful. But Gabriel eases his worries, explaining that her child is from the Holy Spirit and will save people from their sins. Joseph believes and marries Mary as planned.
So Gabriel’s timely interventions ensured the fulfillment of God’s plan that Jesus would be born through Mary. His visitations brought comfort, clarity and reassurance about the child she carried. To this day, Gabriel is honored as the angel who announced the coming of the Savior and made the incarnation possible.
As an archangel, Gabriel is one of the highest-ranking angels who attend directly to God. He has been revered throughout history as a guardian and healer. Gabriel is considered a saint in the Catholic Church, with a feast day of September 29th. He is the patron saint of messengers, telecommunication workers, clergy and postal workers.
References
McBirnie, W.S. (1973). The Search for the Twelve Apostles. Tyndale House Publishers.
Cruz, J.C. (2009). Angels and Devils. Tan Books.
Fortea, J.A. (2013). Interview With An Exorcist. Ascension Press.