An Angel of the Lord
There are many angels, God has made them all
They have watched and cared for us ever since the Fall, Matt 18:10, Heb 1:14
And though the Bible mentions them more than three hundred times
Only four are ever named, for their service or their crimes.
Lucifer, who fell from holiness for the sin of pride,
Will in the final battle have Apollyon by his side, Isaiah 14:12–18, Revelation 9:11
It is Michael the Archangel who’ll cast them down to earth, Revelation 12:7-9
And it was Gabriel who brought news of our Messiah’s birth! Luke 2: 9-12
Angels, God’s messengers, have gifts of untold might,
They can deny the senses, withholding voice and sight, Lot in Sodom - Genesis 19:11
Or rally to protect in chariots of fire Elisha - 2 Kings 6:18-19
Bringing in God’s blessings or fulfilling His ire.
Now Gabriel, “Mighty Man of God”, is an “Angel of the Lord”,
It is from him Messiah’s predicted coming we record.
The “rise and fall of empires” to Daniel was proclaimed
And the end of the Babylonian exile was named. Daniel 8:15-26
To Zechariah in agedness, when the incense burned, Luke 1:11-18
In the Holy Place as he slowly turned,
It was Gabriel appeared and promised him a son,
But because he doubted he struck the old priest dumb.
To Mary in Nazareth who descends from David’s line Luke 1: 26-38
Gabriel announced the coming of the Savior of Mankind.
“Hail! richly blessed, most highly favored one,
The Lord is with you and you will bear a son.”
Now, the notion that Gabriel played the trumpet isn’t true
Though from the classic paintings you might that construe
The misconception started by John Wycliffe at a cost John Wycliffe’s 1382 tract, De Ecclesiæ Dominio
Was echoed by John Milton in his poem “Paradise Lost”. John Milton’s Paradise Lost (1667)
But, I wonder was it Gabriel, told the shepherds on the hill
That the Savior had been born and the prophesy fulfilled?
Was he in that heavenly throng that filled the air with sound
Bringing peace and praising God, spreading glory all around? Luke 2: 8 -14
Or later was it Gabriel told the Wise Men to retreat, Matt 2:7-13
Foiling Herod’s wicked plan of murderous deceit?
Did he council Joseph to rise and flee away
To Egypt and save the Son to live another day?
There’s one last thing I wonder if in the final days
Gabriel might come again with face like glowing rays,
As one of seven angels playing trumpets for the Lord
Proclaiming Christ's return and a new earth evermore. Revelation 10:1-4 , 21:1
With grateful thanks to Dr Brad Klassen, Dr. Iosif Zhakevich, for their instruction, and Linda Damarjian for the encouragement and opportunity to perform,
Other Christmas poems are available on the book blog : https://neilmcleodbooks.blogspot.com/
