12/01/19 - Advent Glory

Have you noticed the word glory appears in the lyrics of many Christmas songs? “Angels We Have Heard On High,” "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Joy To The World,” and “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” to name a few. This is because the word glory was used by the angel to describe what was happening with the birth of Jesus. “Glory to God in the highest!” he proclaimed. If we are going to grasp the meaning of Christmas we must understand the meaning of this word. Glory literally means weight. It’s like when you hear someone say something profound and you respond, “Wow, that was heavy!” The word also carries the idea of making something known. The prophet Isaiah says this:

"Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:5

See the connection between glory and reveal? When the angel announces to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest!” He’s telling them that God is revealing something profound about himself. The angel says more:

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

Let’s make sure we’re clear on the angel’s message. There will be great joy for all the people through a Savior who is Christ the Lord. If you understand this, then you understand the meaning of Christmas. Profound things are being revealed through the birth of Jesus. Joy is not to be found in circumstances but in a person because Jesus is for all the people. The person of Jesus Christ who loved us all the way to the cross. "Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die…” So when we're singing about Christmas glory let’s remember that Jesus set his glory aside so that we could have ours!