Luke 2:13-14 "And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of
the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the
highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased!'"
"Happy Holidays." That phrase, meant to wish good cheer, rings hollow
in my ears. Rather than lifting my spirits, it reminds me of how far
our society has fallen. In our efforts not to offend anyone, we have
offended the most important One! He is the very reason for, the
center, the focal point of the celebration we call "Christmas".
When we say, "Merry Christmas", we're not just uttering a seasonal
greeting. We are echoing the joyful, enthusiastic,
"so-loud-the-earth-shakes", whole-hearted cry of a thousand-voice
angelic choir.
Paul, in the first chapter of Ephesians, captures that sentiment in a
simple, yet profound phrase. Three time he exclaims, "to the praise of
His glory!" Each instance reveals an aspect of the Incarnation.
We praise the Glory of God because Christmas reminds us that:
1. We are now part of His family! Eph 1:5-6 "He predestined us to
adoption as sons...to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He
freely bestowed on us in the Beloved."
2. He enables us to live in such a way that we reflect His grace and
point others to His Gift. Eph 1:12 "to the end that we who were the
first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory."
3. His Holy Spirit in us guarantees the fulfillment of His promise: our
resurrection bodies. Eph 1:14 "who is given as a pledge of our
inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to
the praise of His glory."
So, with a joyful, grateful heart, I wish you an enthusiastic, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!" to the praise of His glory!
Lord, thank You that Christmas isn't really seasonal. Please keep this
truth alive and vibrant in me throughout the year and let others see You
in me and give you praise. Amen.
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