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“The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.”

Well, Thanksgiving has past and it seems like nearly every other radio station is playing Christmas music right now. Some songs are about Santa Clause others sing about the cold winter nights of December. Others, thankfully, echo the story of Christmas as it was told in the Gospels.

I have a hunch that after praying the Angelus each day during Advent, you will take special note of the Christmas music featuring angels. Each day as you pray the Angelus, you recall that appearance of an angel to Mary from the Gospel of Luke. Gabriel comes to announce some incredible news in his very first words.

He says, “Hail favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28)

Let’s make that our meditation for the day. We say it in the Hail Mary prayer in reference to the Virgin Mother of God. Certainly the Lord is with her. She is full of grace.

And us?

Yes, the Lord is with us too. This we proclaim each day we pray the Angelus:

“The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”

Back to the angels. Even though we may not get a visit from an actual angel during this Advent season, we will see angels in Christmas decorations everywhere. We will hear about them on the radio and in Christmas concerts in the next few weeks.

Those angels can be a reminder for us as we prepare for Christmas:

The Lord is with you.

God is with us right now in this very moment and in this very place.

What a comforting thought. We are not alone. The Lord, our God, is with us now and forever.

St. Gabriel, pray for us!

Mary, holy Mother of God, pray for us!

Jared Dees

Author Jared Dees

Jared Dees is the creator of The Religion Teacher, a popular website for religious educators, and the author of Praying the Angelus: Find Joy, Peace, and Purpose in Everyday Life .

More posts by Jared Dees

Join the discussion One Comment

  • Patty Johnstone says:

    Congratulations on your new baby girl! She is definitely an angel! Thanks for your encouragement and faith in helping to make this a truly Jesus – filled Christmas!