Megabit 30 — April 08

Gabriel, the Angel Who Brought Good News

Today we have a happy feast for the great angel Gabriel (say it: GAY-bree-el). An angel is a messenger God sends from heaven, and God loves Gabriel and gives him very special jobs.

The greatest job of all was this: God sent Gabriel to a young woman named Mary. Gabriel told her the best news the world has ever heard, that she would become the mother of Jesus, God's own Son. What a gift to carry.

Long before that, Gabriel also visited a man named Daniel while Daniel was praying. Daniel was sad because his people were far from home, and he longed for them to go back. Gabriel comforted him and promised that one day the Savior, Jesus, would come to help everyone. And that promise came true.

Because Gabriel carries God's good news so faithfully, we thank him and ask him to pray for us. When we feel worried, we can remember that God watches over us and sends His angels to help us, just the way He helped Mary and Daniel.

Salutation to Gabriel who was sent to Mary.

Samson, the Strong Friend of God

Today we also remember Samson, one of the brave leaders, called judges, who helped God's people long ago. Before Samson was even born, an angel told his mother she would have a special son. She must never cut his hair, the angel said, because Samson belonged to God in a special way.

When Samson grew up, God gave him strength like no one else had ever seen. That strength was God's gift, and it stayed with him as long as he kept his promise and let his hair grow.

But one day Samson told a secret he should have kept, and while he was asleep his enemies cut off his hair. His strength left him, and they carried him far from home. Poor Samson was so sad. Still, he prayed to God, and slowly his hair began to grow back.

Then Samson understood something important. His strength had never really come from his hair at all. It came from God. When he turned back to God and prayed, God helped him be brave one last time. Samson led his people for twenty years, and he died in peace. His story teaches us that every gift we have comes from God, and we can always trust Him.

Salutation to Samson who was called the Nazarite.

Saint James, Carried Home with Honor

Today the church remembers a holy man named James. He loved Jesus so much that he stayed faithful to God all the way to the end of his life, even when it was very hard. People like James are called martyrs, because they keep loving God no matter what it costs. The full story of his brave life is told on another day, the 27th of Hedar.

On this day, something special happened. James' body was carefully and lovingly carried from a faraway land called Persia to a new resting place. People wanted to honor him and keep him close, because he was a true friend of God. We thank God for brave James, and we ask him to pray for us.

John, Who Lived Simply for God

Today we also remember a gentle man named John, who loved God so much that he chose to live very simply. He worked hard, he prayed, and he ate only a tiny bit of food: as much bread as he could hold in one hand, and no more.

He did this so he could spend all his time thinking about God, instead of worrying about big meals or fancy things. His quiet life shows us that being close to God is what makes our hearts full and happy. We can thank God for John and his loving heart.

Abba Gabra Manfas Kedus, the Saint of the Desert and His Friendly Lions

Today we celebrate a very special saint with a long name: Abba Gabra Manfas Kedus (say it: GAB-ra MAN-fas KEH-dus). His name means "servant of the Holy Spirit," and he is sometimes called the star of the desert.

His mother and father loved God, but they had waited many years for a baby, so they were overjoyed when at last he was born. When the little boy was only three days old, he stood up and praised God, saying, "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Who brought me out of the darkness into the light." Everyone who saw it could hardly believe their eyes.

God had a beautiful plan for him. An angel gently carried the child up to heaven, where Mary, the mother of Jesus, kissed him, and where Abraham and the holy people of long ago welcomed him with love. Then he grew up to serve God with his whole heart.

Gabra Manfas Kedus went to live far away in the quiet desert, where he prayed every single day. Here is the part children love best: God gave him sixty lions and sixty leopards for friends. These big animals were gentle with him and stayed by his side, and he took care of them. Imagine having lions for friends because you trust God so much.

God gave him a gift, too. When he prayed, blind people could see again and sick people got well, and so many went home healed and happy. He prayed so much that he even begged God to be kind and forgiving to people who had done wrong, and God listened to his loving prayers.

Gabra Manfas Kedus lived a very, very long life, always loving God. When at last God called him home, the angels Michael and Gabriel and many others came with great joy and carried him up to heaven. We ask this kind saint, with his gentle lions, to pray for us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, Who brought me out of the darkness into the light.— the child Gabra Manfas Kedus