Sharper Iron — The Hymns of Advent: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came

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Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Lutheran Service Book #356, “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came.”

This Basque hymn is a poetic retelling of the Annunciation of Our Lord and the Visitation. When the mighty angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he greeted her as one highly favored by the Lord. God was showing His free grace to Mary in making her the mother of God. Her child, Jesus, is Emmanuel: God with us. Mary received this Word of God in faith, and while visiting her relative Elizabeth, praised God for His mercy in the words of the Magnificat. Because of the role God gave Mary in salvation history, Christians throughout the ages have considered her blessed, and we continue to praise God for what He has done through Mary’s Son, Jesus.

“The Hymns of Advent” is a series on Sharper Iron that looks at a variety of the hymns found in the Advent section Lutheran Service Book. The season of Advent prepares us for Christ’s coming. The hymns of Advent teach that this is more than getting ready for Christmas; the Word of the Lord sung in hymnody helps us to receive Christ as He comes to us now in the means of grace and when He comes again in glory on the Last Day.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Lutheran Service Book 356

1 The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
With wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame:
“All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady.” Gloria!

2 “For know a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee;
Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
Most highly favored lady.” Gloria!

3 Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;
“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said.
“My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name.”
Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

4 Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
“Most highly favored lady.” Gloria!

Text: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
Source: Basque, c. 18th cent.
Paraphraser: Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924
Tune: GABRIEL’S MESSAGE
Arranger: C. Edgar Pettman, 1865-1943