The Angels’ Song
Hymns and songs are time-honored vehicles of praise. They also can be notable and memorable vehicles of theology. Mary’s song gave voice to several theological truths. The same is true of Zacharias’ song.
Here we give attention to this shortest of the biblical “songs of Christmas” — a single verse, Luke 2:14. At Jesus’ birth an angelic choir visited a band of ordinary shepherds on a Judean hillside and serenaded them with praise. That praise song has been given the title, “Gloria in Excelsis,” stemming from the Latin version of the opening words of the passage, which translates for us as “Glory in the highest.”
From the example of the angelic host, we learn the most appropriate response to God graciously sending a Savior into the world is to praise Him and give Him glory. Joyous praise is the proper response to God’s saving work in sending His only begotten Son into the world.
We also learn heaven is the place of perfect praise: “Glory in the highest.” One day redeemed sinners will join the heavenly chorus in rendering perfect praise to our God and Savior.
In passing, we might also note praise belongs to the most glorious object — God Himself, not His human servants.
Perfect peace
While perfect glory to God occurs in heaven, His perfect peace is available on earth. Not only is the coming of Christ into the world as Savior cause for praising God, it also is His provision of divine peace for those who receive His Son in faith. Hence, the heavenly choir sang of this “peace on earth.”
Another take-away truth from the angels’ song is that Christ is the agent through Whom forgiven sinners can experience both divine peace and human goodwill. The prospect of heavenly glory and peace on earth have potential and practical outcome as “goodwill” among men. In a world torn and divided by sin, prejudice, aggression and hardness of heart, the path to goodwill winds its way by a rugged cross, an empty tomb and an upper room.
This peace, possible even in the midst of the chaos, tensions and hatred of human society, doesn’t depend on outward circumstances but upon our personal response to God’s grace. Christ’s saving death, victorious resurrection and outpoured Spirit are essential ingredients for peace on earth.
When we examine our hearts this Christmas season, do we find God’s peace residing within?
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