In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth.... (Luke 1:26)

From our text in Luke you have heard the Bible’s account of how God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary. But this is not the only version of the story. There is another, unofficial, version which came to light recently when an ancient manuscript was discovered in Bethlehem. For those of us who like to stay on the cutting edge of biblical research, this new discovery is exciting and has changed forever the way we know the story of Gabriel. It took the experts a long time to translate this manuscript because it was so badly faded and worn. In addition, some ancient homemaker had used part of it to make out a shopping list. But now, at long last, the Bethlehem manuscript is available in English. I am pleased to share with you the unofficial story - the secret story of Gabriel.

It seems that God had a problem. He had given His law and sent His prophets; but it wasn’t enough. People were still lost in darkness and despair. Violence and corruption filled the earth while justice and mercy were on the run. God knew He had to do more than He had ever done before. He had to offer salvation by coming to the world Himself. But how would He do it? How would He announce it? How would He introduce His only begotten Son to the world? This was the problem God was trying to solve.

He needed some good advice, so He called the angel Gabriel into His office. We learn from this ancient manuscript that Gabriel wasn’t just an angel with a trumpet. He was also in charge of Peace and Goodwill Associates - God’s public relations and advertising company. This is why God called Gabriel into His office; he seemed the perfect angel for the job.

Gabriel came in and before he could sit down, God started to speak. "Gabriel, I’ve decided to send My Son to save the world, but I can’t decide on how He should be born. How can I best show by His birth what My Word looks like in the flesh? Put your best angels on it, Gabriel. This is the most important assignment your agency will ever get, so do a good job."

Gabriel went down to his office on Cloud Nine, gathered his brightest young angels around him, and they began to work. Finally, he was ready to go back and show his ideas to God.

He could hardly contain himself as he burst into God’s office. "I’ve got it," he said. "I’ve got just the campaign You need, God! You’ll love it, and You’ll thank Your lucky stars that You gave this account to Peace and Goodwill Associates!

"You have to remember," Gabriel continued, "that this will be the most extraordinary event in the history of the world. God Himself is coming to earth! So what You need is the most awesome, most elaborate advertising campaign ever imagined. Money is no object. Your Child deserves nothing but the best."

Gabriel pulled out his flip charts and market research; he was ready to roll. "I thought we might start off low-key, and then go to an all-out media blitz. We start by printing millions of T-shirts and bumper stickers that simply say, ‘He’s coming!’ Isn’t it great! It’s the oldest marketing trick in the book - you get people’s attention and make them curious to learn more.

"Then we get someone to ghost-write a book for Joseph and Mary. It doesn’t matter what’s in the book - no one actually reads anymore. The important thing is that with a book to sell, we can get on the talk show circuit. Donahue or Winfrey might be good; they love stuff like this. A young virgin giving birth! They’ll flip for it. It’s right up their alley.

"We can’t forget the Christian talk shows, God. They’ve got their own satellite networks now, and lots of people watch these shows. But first we’ll have to change Joseph and Mary a bit. For one thing, they’ll need some nicer clothes. You’ve got to look happy and successful to be on Christian television!

"And that Magnificat Mary wants to say - that bit about the hungry being filled with good things and the rich being sent away empty (Luke 1:53) - she’s got to knock that off right away. The Christian talk shows won’t stand for it! Prosperity sells, God; the audience wants comfort and blessings. If we’re going to put Mary and Joseph on Christian television, they’ll first need some coaching on what to say.

"But we need more than this, God. We need some prime time exposure. I suggest a Barbara Walters special. When you’re interviewed by Barbara Walters, you know you’ve made it! And then we’ll really hit the big time: we’ll make the cover of Time and Newsweek. Maybe Ms. magazine would do a story on Mary. How much better could it get?"

By this point, Gabriel was really getting excited. Now he was ready for the climax - the big finish. "You have to realize," he said, "that where this Child is born is very important. We need to consider what kind of image we want the television cameras to show. I suggest we build the most magnificent palace the world has ever seen ... a palace truly fit for the King of kings and Lord of lords. Remember: Your Child gets nothing but the best.

"And look, God, December 25th is a terrible day - a nothing day. Delay the birth a few weeks to mid-January, Super Bowl Sunday. Most people think it’s the most important day of the year anyway. You’ll have a huge captive audience; everyone will be sitting at home glued to their television sets.

"Then what You do, God, is to take over the airwaves during halftime, and broadcast the birth live. (But make sure You keep it to thirty minutes. You don’t want to get people mad by delaying the rest of the game!) Have the world leaders bring gifts to the baby ... they’ll be glad to do it, especially if you promise them good TV coverage. Have the heavens open up and the angels sing. I tell you, God: this will be the greatest show ever!

"It will be better than the Olympics, even bigger than 'Who Shot J.R.?' Then after the birth, there will be a sound track album, music videos, a movie deal, Mary and Joseph dolls ..."

God had heard enough. "No, no, no!" His voice thundered through the heavens. "You've got it all wrong! You've missed the point entirely! Do you think your gala can convey what this Child is all about? Does He need the blessing of TV preachers or Newsweek magazine? You haven't understood at all!

"And what do you think would happen if Jesus were born in a palace? Why, the whole thing would be turned into an inaugural ball, with black tie, evening gowns, and chauffeured limousines. They'd keep the common people locked outside the palace gate, far away from the face of Jesus.

"No one can claim this Child for himself, Gabriel. He is not sent just to mingle with the rich and famous. He is coming for all the people - even for the forgotten and despised, the sorrowful and lonely - even for the dust of the earth. He is coming for those who think they least deserve Him. He is born to show God's love, Gabriel. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed in this Child, and all flesh shall see it together!

"And what makes you think presidents and prime ministers would welcome this Child who comes to establish another kingdom not of this world and higher than their own? Don't you see that the shadow of the Cross will fall over Jesus even at the moment of His birth? People with power will pretend to praise Him while they plot to kill Him! No, Gabriel, if you want this Child to live, I wouldn't advertise too much when and where He is born. Least of all, don't tell the kings and queens where He is.

"Go back to your office and try again, Gabriel," God said. "You've been seduced by the celebrity culture and confused by the piety of popular preachers. Go back and read the prophets: ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.’ (Isaiah 55:8) Come back tomorrow and if you don’t have a better idea than this, I’ll make sure that Peace and Goodwill Associates never works in heaven again!"

The ancient manuscript says that Gabriel came back the next day a chastened and contrite angel. He came back more concerned with mystery than marketing. He was ready to try again.

"You were right, God," he said. "I mimicked the world and missed Your Word. But now I’ve got a plan which is more faithful to Your ways. With my new plan people can reflect on how You chose to come into the world, and maybe then, they will come to understand You better than they do today."

"Go ahead, let’s hear it," God said. "Every one deserves a second chance - even you."

"Well," said Gabriel, "I realize now that people would expect Christ to come as I expected Him to come: with all the fanfare and glory. In their pride, people would expect Christ to be welcomed with glad hearts and open arms in this fallen world. But we’ll have Jesus come quietly, almost unnoticed, save for a few lowly shepherds and some travellers passing through.

"And forget the palace ... it was a bad idea. People would expect a palace, but that’s their expectation, not God’s. We’ll have Jesus born in a stable. He’ll be homeless and laid in a humble manger on the edge of town. He’ll be born in the kind of place respectable people hurry by on their way to someplace else.

"In this way," said Gabriel, "people might reflect on how He was born and get a better idea of what Your Word looks like in the flesh. Maybe this will help them love one another as God has loved each of them, and maybe this will show them the path to salvation."

At last God was pleased. "You have done well," He said. "You have captured My intention perfectly. This is how we will do it. We will take the world’s vain expectations and turn them upside down. We will proclaim, even by the manner of His birth, that in God’s Kingdom the first are last and the last are first."

That is the secret story of Gabriel. The ancient manuscript concludes by saying that Gabriel went on to have a long and successful career with Peace and Goodwill Associates. He landed many other heavenly advertising accounts and eventually moved his office to the penthouse suite on Cloud Ninty-Nine.

Fortunately, this unofficial story will never find its way into Scripture, but there is a message here nonetheless: you won’t find the Christ Child in the familiar places where the world in its vanity would expect Him to be. You won’t find Him on television extravaganzas with the celebrities of church or state or business - you won’t find Him in Crystal Cathedrals on Christmas Eve. Nor will you find Him in the gaudy displays or bright lights of the holiday season. No, you must find Him in the quietness of your hearts, in the peace and humility of one who looks for God’s glory in a lowly manger. "How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!" God chooses to come to us! We need eyes to see and ears to hear, for lo, our salvation is drawing near. Amen

Pastoral Prayer

Faithful and Merciful God, who is our Comfort and Strength from age to age, we pray today for all who are weary of body or spirit. We pray for those who suffer pain, and the infirmities of age. We pray for the sick and the lonely, and for those with restless spirits and unsatisfied minds. Help everyone in need to find their rest in You, O God. Bring comfort to those who hurt, and strength to those who mourn. Be as real to us as the ground beneath our feet, O Lord, and help us plainly every step along the way.

Almighty, Everlasting God, who has taken the form of a helpless baby lying homeless in a bed of straw, lead us to find You in the quiet places of simple faith this Christmas season. Lead us in the paths of lowliness and meekness, that there we may find our Lord. Open our eyes and ears to the silent, holy night; help us to see the baby and hear His cry, and know that He is born. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen