鈥淎ngels we have heard on high, singing sweetly o鈥檈r the plains. And the mountains in reply, echo back their joyous strains.鈥�
Lest you think I鈥檝e forgotten the joyousness of Christmas, I haven鈥檛! In fact, there鈥檚 nothing that creates a deep-rooted exuberance like remembering that He is the reason for the season.
Angels sang. Shepherds left their flocks and, following the sound of heavenly singing, came to the site of His birth. Wise men from the East followed a significant light for long days and nights, perhaps even weeks or months.
The writer of this hymn then exhorts us to rejoice. 鈥淕loria in excelsis Deo鈥�. That chorus to the carol literally means in Latin, 鈥淕lory to God in the highest鈥�. Exalt Him. Celebrate His birth.
I鈥檝e been thinking a lot about Mary and Joseph, too. Having lived enough years and in enough places, I am sure there were plenty of wagging tongues: 鈥淢ade pregnant from God? Yah right!鈥� Or how about this, 鈥淗ere we thought both Mary and Joseph were clean living folks!鈥� Being able to be at peace and indeed, to rejoice, came from knowing without a doubt that they had heard His voice.
Yes, the manager is a significant symbol to the world but it鈥檚 also so much more. To those who do not realize the importance of His birth, that rustic cradle located in a dark cave often evokes warm, fuzzy feelings of family celebrations but let鈥檚 never forget to move beyond the manager to the hills and valleys of the land and, ultimately, to the cross of Calvary.
For us, sinners in need of a Saviour, the manager and every footfall to the cross is cause for constant celebration.
鈥淚n everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.鈥� 1 Thessalonians 5:18
鈥淕loria in Excelsis Deo!鈥�
