“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’” 

Luke 2:13-14

Today, we turn our focus to the messengers of heaven and the helpers of men. They were not going to be left out of the festivities. They put on a show to rival the star! When I reflect on this verse, I wish for two things. I wish I could have had a front row seat for that proclamation, and I wish we knew that they sang. Nevertheless, in our enthusiasm for the event just described, we’ve set what they said to music, and we sing that they sang it. How could a host of angels just casually speak, “Glory to God in the highest?” It cries out to be sung. And so, as part of our celebration, we sing it. At the top of our lungs we sing, “Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains … Glo——–ria in excelsis Deo!” “Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King …” and on it goes throughout the season including today, on the radio, your playlist, or at the Christmas Eve service. The angels will be part of the jubilee.

But wait! Let’s not get totally lost in the familiar. What were those words again? “Glory to God in the highest; Gloria in excelsis deo.” Does that mean anything? Does it require something of me? Yes. If the words of our mouth represent the truth in our hearts, then it requires that nothing in our lives be higher than God. We willingly give Him first place and all the glory for what He does in our lives. What is that next phrase? Something about peace on earth? That’s a good thing, right? “… and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” There is not enough space here for a theological examination of this phrase. May it suffice to say that in the two phrases together, the angels declare God is second to none and has made a way for there to be peace between Himself and men.²³ That is something to sing about!

Today, Christmas Eve, rather than being distracted by the fact you have to work at least part of the day, or you literally have last-minute shopping to do, or the car needs help and the shop closes early, be distracted instead by the truth that God has come and like creation and the angels, you can’t wait to join in the celebration. Hold every thought today captive to this truth: Our Savior has come! As your thoughts become focused on Him, let that ultimately overflow into worship, privately, and if possible, in public. Glory to God in the highest!
 

Jay W. Hill