Holy Tide

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I believe in angels, both heavenly and earthly. We believe angels are messengers for Heavenly Father. The scriptures are replete with accounts of angels; some are anonymous and some have names. I've noticed that angels who had a previous mortal ministry are often assigned a mission tied to their earthly efforts. For instance, the angel Moroni tutored and directed Joseph Smith in regard to the golden plates. Mortal Moroni spent a lot of his existence hauling around, protecting, adding to, and burying the plates 1400 years prior. Moroni was clearly invested in the Book of Mormon. 

In this frame of mind I have pondered much, especially in the recent weeks celebrating Christmas, as to why Gabriel was the angel sent to deliver the life-altering news to Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God. We know from modern-day revelation that angel Gabriel is the prophet Noah.*

Noah, who with his ark survived the earth's baptism by flood, was the father of all living in his day. God made special promises to him after the puddles dried and signed his word with a rainbow arcing across the sky. Noah means "rest".

How beautiful that the prophet who witnessed storm and flood, dove of peace, and prism of promise got to announce the babe who would flood the earth and erase our storms with His promise of peace. I can't help but think Christ is both the flood and the rainbow, the power and the love, the cause and the effect of true joy. He is the Master of ocean and earth and sky; the scepter of rest for all who shall ever have life.

Lucky, lucky Gabriel.

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

(7th verse of the authorless, dateless, allegedly-the-oldest-carol "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen")

*Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 157 

Photo image purchased from iStock photo.