#65 Glory to God in the Highest. "Thoughts from the Back Deck..."

Luke 2:11-14
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Babies are born all over the world every day. Yesterday, I received a text from a young couple letting me know their newest little one arrived. Mom and baby are healthy and safe. Dad and older sister, as well as extended family, were all smiles. 

For each birth, I want to shout out:  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

But go back and read those words from this snippet from Luke 2 again... And then again...and again. Let it sink into your mind.

The single angel proclaims! 
"For unto you is born..."

Unto: something that is done for or given to

You: marks you as the passive receiver. Doing nothing. Deserving nothing. Not accepting. Not deciding to take, yet you have been "unto'ed to" (lousy grammar, but it drives the point!) 

And who gave? The verses before it said, "an angel of the Lord appeared..." and "the Glory of the Lord shine..." that angel-messenger was the proclaimer or herald of God, letting the shepherds, you and me know who's the giver of this birth and what has been done for us.

Then...
One angel turns into a great multitude.
"All praising God..."

On this day before "Sunday", before Christmas Eve, before Christmas day and before  gathering around food and gifts and the tree and, of course many of you will be gathing with others... remember who gave and let us praise God no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in at this time of year. 
Health. Financial. Family issues. Facing loss. An empty chair this year. Plenty or want. Alone or surrounded by many voices...

Let there be “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Peace out,
Andy

stpaullakeland.org
Christmas Eve services 4,6,8 communion and candlelight at all services. 
Christmas day: special online message for many, including me. 

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