Gabriel's Message by Matt Maher is a beautiful song that captures the essence of the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. The song is filled with deep meaning and inspiration, drawing from the biblical account found in the Gospel of Luke.
The lyrics of the song paint a vivid picture of Gabriel's arrival, describing him as an angel from heaven with wings as drifted snow and eyes as flame. This imagery emphasizes the divine nature of Gabriel's message and sets the tone for Mary's extraordinary encounter.
The song begins with the angel Gabriel greeting Mary, saying, "All hail, said he, thou lowly maiden Mary, most highly favored lady." This line is a direct reference to Luke 1:28, where Gabriel greets Mary with the words, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Gabriel acknowledges Mary's humble status as a lowly maiden, yet recognizes her as the chosen vessel for God's plan of salvation.
The chorus of the song repeats the word "Gloria," which is Latin for "glory." This word is often associated with the praise and adoration of God. In the context of the song, it serves as a reminder of the glory and honor bestowed upon Mary for her role in bringing forth the Savior of the world.
The second verse of the song continues the story, with Gabriel revealing to Mary that she will be the blessed mother of Emmanuel, as foretold by the prophets. This refers to Isaiah 7:14, which states, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel." Through Gabriel's message, Mary learns that she will give birth to the long-awaited Messiah, who will be God with us.
The song also captures Mary's response to Gabriel's message. In the bridge, Mary humbly bows her head and accepts God's plan, saying, "To me be as it pleaseth God, my soul shall laud and magnify His holy name." This echoes Mary's words in Luke 1:38, where she responds to Gabriel, saying, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." Mary's submission to God's will and her willingness to be used for His purposes is a powerful example of faith and obedience.
Overall, Gabriel's Message by Matt Maher is a beautiful and inspiring song that brings to life the biblical account of Gabriel's visit to Mary. It reminds us of the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth and the humble obedience of Mary. Through its lyrics, the song invites us to join in the adoration and praise of God, acknowledging His glory and the significance of the Advent season.
