November 29: Gabriel's Message

First Week of Advent: Hope

November 29: Gabriel's Message (Basque) - Links & Lyrics Below

Gabriel’s Message (Basque) is a version I’d never heard. However, I have to admit that “Basque” caught my attention.

I was born in Spain, lived there for 20 years, and have been in and know quite a bit about the Basque region in northern Spain. The region, while beautiful, has had problems for, well, hundreds of years: political unrest, assassinations, economic hardship, and isolation from the rest of Spain, to name just a few.

The Basque region - like the rest of the world - has problems. The Basque region - also like the rest of the world - needs the good news of Jesus.

Enter the angel Gabriel. Only one of two angels mentioned by name in the Bible, Gabriel interprets Daniel’s prophetic dreams in Daniel 8. In the New Testament (Luke 1), we see Gabriel announcing good news… announcing to Zechariah the birth of John the Baptist, and announcing to Mary the birth of Jesus. Talk about good news!

News, by the way, that our (problem-filled) world needs to hear.

What an honor for Gabriel to announce the birth of Jesus! Can you imagine?

Well, actually, we can imagine, as we are also charged with telling others about Jesus.

So, as we head enter into December, will you actively and intentionally tell others about the King who was born for us? Who, specifically, will you tell? “Gabriel” means “strength of God” … God will give you strength as you tell. The Basque region, and our world, will be glad you did.

Pastor Daniel & Melissa Bowman
Community Church of Fish Creek



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The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came
His wings as drifted snow His eyes as flame
"All Hail!" said he, "thou lowly maiden Mary,"
"Most Highly Favoured Lady," Gloria!

"For known a Blessed Mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honour thee
Thy Son shall be Immanuel, by seers foretold
Most highly favoured Lady," Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;
"To me, be as it pleaseth God," she said.
"My soul shall laud and magnify His holy Name"
Most highly favoured Lady! Gloria!

Of her Immanuel, the Christ was born,
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn.
And everyone throughout the world will ever say,
"Most highly favoured Lady!" Gloria!

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