The journey which will terminate in a stable in Bethlehem began when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was to become the mother of our Lord. Along with his fellow heavenly beings, Raphael and the Archangel Michael, Gabriel is not the cute, cuddly “angel” of New Age sentimentality. In our prayer life today may we be reminded but the angels are God’s warriors whose presence is “awesome” and life changing. Gabriel changed Mary’s life forever, and our lives were forever changed when Mary said, “yes,” to the message he brought.
