Tahsas 22 — December 31

Gabriel, the Angel of Good News

Today is a happy feast for Gabriel the Archangel. An archangel is one of God's most important helpers, and Gabriel is the one who carries good news from God.

God trusted Gabriel with the happiest message there has ever been. He sent him to a holy young woman named Mary. Gabriel came to her gently and told her she was going to be the mother of Jesus, God's own Son. The kind words he said to Mary that day are still loved by everyone today.

Gabriel carried other glad news, too. He told an old priest named Zachariah that he would have a baby boy, who grew up to be John the Baptist. And on the night Jesus was born, it was Gabriel who told the shepherds that a Savior had come. No wonder people love this angel so much. What an honor, to be the one who brings the good news.

Long ago, in a city called Danah, people built a beautiful church to thank God for Gabriel, and a kind bishop named Archelaus blessed it. A bishop is a church leader who looks after many churches. There Gabriel showed God's care in ways no one could explain. We can ask this gentle angel, and his friend the angel Michael, to pray for us, so that God will watch over us and keep us safe and close to Him.

Peace be unto thee! Rejoice, O thou who art full of grace! The Lord is with thee.— The angel Gabriel to Mary

Bishop Dekesius and Mary's Gift

We also remember a good bishop named Dekesius (say it: deh-KEH-see-us), who lived in a town called Telteya. He loved the story of how Gabriel brought his happy news to Mary.

So Bishop Dekesius wrote the whole story down, so other people could read it and be glad too. To thank him for his loving work, Mary gave him a beautiful gift of heavenly clothing. It was her way of saying, "Thank you for telling my story." When we share good things about God with others, we are giving a gift like that, too.

Abba Anastasius, the Peacemaker

Today we also remember a holy church father named Abba Anastasius (say it: ah-nah-STAH-see-us). He was the archbishop of the great city of Alexandria. An archbishop is the leader who watches over many bishops.

Anastasius came from an important family, and once he worked as a judge, helping people be fair to one another. Later he became a priest, and then God chose him to be archbishop. He loved the churches dearly. He built new ones and made good places in them for the bishops and priests to serve God.

One day an unkind person told a lie about Anastasius to a powerful ruler. The ruler believed it and took away one of his churches. This made the gentle father very sad. But God, who sees every heart, comforted him and did not leave him alone.

Then something good happened. Far away in another great city called Antioch, a wise leader named Athanasius became archbishop. Anastasius wrote him a kind letter about the faith they shared. Athanasius was so glad that he gathered all his bishops and priests to read it aloud together, and they all rejoiced. Then Athanasius traveled all the way to Alexandria to meet Anastasius face to face.

When the two holy men met, they hugged each other like old friends. Athanasius sang a happy song from the Psalms about peace and love coming together. The two cities had been apart, and now they were one in faith, like good friends holding hands. The fathers stayed together for a whole month, praying, learning from each other, and growing closer to God. Then Athanasius went home in peace.

Anastasius spent the rest of his life teaching his people the things that were good for their hearts. He was so wise that he wrote thousands of helpful letters. When he grew old, he fell a little sick during the fast before Christmas, and God called him home peacefully, to rest forever with the saints he loved.

Compassion and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.— Psalm 85:10