"glory to God"

Glory to God!

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.
Amen. (Philippians 4:20)

Brothers and sisters, take this journey with me. Picture with me on the canvas of your imagination. A young married couple playing Mary and Joseph in the church’s Christmas program. The young woman had just recently given birth to a son. On cue they walk on stage, and she places her infant in a manger there. It is a precious scene as these parents, role-playing Mary and Joseph, lovingly looked at their child in the manger.

In my mind, I tried to imagine what it was like at the first Christmas, when the real Mary placed the newborn Jesus in a manger. And as we sing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” I thought about the announcement of this special birth. This announcement wasn’t on a church stage; it came to shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem. “I bring you good news that will cause great joy… Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Amen and hallelujah!

You see, the excitement was not limited to the audience in one church; the angelic choir of heaven sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven …” Mary pondered and treasured the event. The shepherds came and went, glorifying and praising God. And all who heard the shepherds’ news were filled with awe.

Brothers and sisters, may we also be filled with awe and treasure in our hearts, and may we sing glory to God for the world-changing birth of Jesus!

Prayer
With the angels and shepherds we worship you, precious Savior. We treasure you in our hearts. May all that we do and say bring glory to your name. In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen.