Behind the Scenes in Heaven
Gabriel was extremely excited. The great I AM Himself had chosen him to deliver the message of the coming Emmanuel. He couldn't wait to hear what marvelous plan He had in store.
Of course, He could use surprising methods at times. Gabriel had never doubted when he heard Israel was to be lead out of Egypt by a slave boy/prince, who had murdered someone and had a speech impediment. Or when he was told that the greatest king of Israel would be David son of Jesse who was currently taking care of sheep in a field. So he did not doubt that this plan would be complicated and would be a rags to riches story yet again.
Nothing could have prepared him for this though.
He came before the throne and bowed low. God smiled and gestured for him to rise. "Listen Gabriel."
"Yes Lord."
"The Emmanuel Messiah is to be born in nine months time. You must tell the virgin I have chosen that she is to be a mother to Him, the Son of God."
Gabriel nodded. "Who is this girl to be?"
"Mary, a twelve year old living in Nazareth."
"My Lord? May I ask you something?"
"Ask it Gabriel."
"If a virgin is found to be pregnant, she most likely shall be stoned. How will You prevent that?"
"She is engaged to a carpenter, a godly man named Joseph. He will protect her. Which brings me to another message you must bring. Joseph needs to know that he needs to marry her anyways."
This plan was surely complicated. Would all these people cooperate? Gabriel decided to put that thought away for now. He just needed to focus on the job at hand. He turned to go.
"Oh, and Gabriel, just a heads up, you will need to lead a choir of angels when He is born."
"Yes, Lord. Who will be the audience?"
"Shepherds."
"Oh." This plan had gone from complicated to strange. A choir of angels to announce the birth of the Great I AM, and not performing for powerful kings?
"Don't worry, you will speak to several kings as well, wise men." Gabriel started in surprise. No matter how much it happened he never expected it when God read his mind. "But this time it will be a warning, because Herod is going to try and kill Him. You should tell Joseph too, so he can get them out."
Gabriel could not fathom God's mind, try as he might. He decided to quit trying.
"Make a note in the records too that I will make a star to put in Bethlehem over where He is born."
"I'm on it Lord." He stopped. "Wait, Bethlehem? I thought they lived in Nazareth?"
"Yes, but I decided when I created the world that Bethlehem would be the place. So I put it in the Caesars mind that he needs to tax the entire world so he needs to take a census, just about the time He will be born. There is an inn right on the edge of town with a cave that they use as a stable nearby. The star will go over the stable, where He is born."
He grinned at Gabriel. "I know it's confusing, but trust me. Now go tell Mary."
Gabriel bowed once again before walking away from the throne. God was certainly a very complicated and imaginative person.