“Gabriel’s Message” is an English-language adaptation of a traditional Basque Christmas carol known as “Birjina gaztetto bat zegoen.” The song tells the story of the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she will become the mother of Jesus. The English version is associated with British poet and hymn translator Sabine Baring-Gould, whose work helped bring the Basque carol to a wider English-speaking audience. Sting later recorded the song for his 1987 album …Nothing Like the Sun.

The song focuses directly on the Annunciation, the biblical event in which Gabriel delivers the news of Jesus’ coming birth to Mary. Its imagery centers on Mary, the angel and the promise of the child who will become the Savior. The melody has a traditional folk character, giving the song a sense of age and continuity even when performed by a modern artist.

Its connection to Christmas comes through its place in the Nativity story. Rather than describing Christmas Eve itself, the song focuses on the announcement that begins the story leading to Christ’s birth. Sting’s recording introduces this traditional material to a contemporary audience while retaining the solemn and reflective character of the original carol. It therefore connects older European Christmas traditions with modern popular music.