“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.”
(Luke 2:14)
The entrance of Emmanuel into our world was first announced by an angel to humble shepherds, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” And suddenly, there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and declaring: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.”
Humanity was alienated, enemies of God in mind and heart, without strength, children of disobedience, and thus objects of wrath. Reconciliation to God was our most desperate need… peace not only with God Himself but also with one another. Jesus Christ Himself became our peace, coming into the world and enduring the cross to restore humanity’s broken fellowship with God.
This angelic proclamation of peace specifically denotes reconciliation with God who graciously acted to reconcile the world to Himself through Christ. He declared peace through Jesus Christ, the sinless One whom God set forth as a propitiation for our sins, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
God’s infinite love first sought us out; without which no mediator would have been provided. Thus, the ransom paid by Jesus is the supreme demonstration of God’s eternal, immeasurable affection. Truly, in this greatest gift of divine love, grace abounds exceedingly beyond all our sin.
The Messiah willingly embraced a body, declaring, “Lo, I come… I delight to do thy will, O my God.” He willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice to God, putting away sin by His own blood. Truly, “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all.” No greater love exists than this, that Christ laid down His life for us even when we were His enemies. And by His death, He reconciled us to God.
With such a Redeemer, who can doubt that He is mighty to save? “Angels and men,” ought to “make manifest their recognition, experience, and estimation of the divine glory, and amplify and extol, as much as they can, that very eminence of God.”[1]
At the birth of Christ, the adoration of heaven resounded: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.” May we join the heavenly angels in praise to God for sending His Son into the world to redeem and restore us to Himself.
Contemplations:
- Heaven’s joy, my praise. Shall heaven burst forth in joyous praise that God has sent His Son for my redemption, and I remain indifferent? May it never be! Let my soul arise in praise: “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” Let the glad tidings announced from heaven be forever engraved upon my heart, shaping my life in constant gratitude and adoration.
- Redemption imprinted on my heart. Lord, let my heart echo the joy proclaimed by the prophet: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace…that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” May my entire life become a proclamation of Your saving grace.
- Christ’s reign within. Joy to the world that Jesus reigns! O Lord, reign fully within my heart. Let nothing hinder Your authority in my life, for You alone are worthy. Grant me grace that my heart and life would genuinely and continually reflect Your sovereign rule, joyfully submitting to Your perfect and righteous dominion.
- Joyful in the mystery. Almighty God, I rejoice in You as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the host of heaven, I glorify Your holy name. Great indeed is the mystery of godliness, that God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Let this mystery always inspire profound joy in me.
Prayer (Adoration):
Almighty and Everlasting Father, I bow before You in humble adoration, praising You for the wondrous proclamation that announced the birth of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Truly, glory belongs to You in the highest, for You alone could conceive and execute such an incomparable act of redemption. You have displayed immeasurable grace in sending Your Son into a world darkened by sin, enmity, and rebellion. You have proclaimed peace to those estranged from Your holiness, and You have extended Your favor to fallen humanity.
I praise You, O Lord, for the boundless depths of Your mercy and wisdom. I worship You for sending the Prince of Peace into this troubled world. In the miracle of Christ’s incarnation, divinity and humanity united, revealing Your magnificent plan of salvation. I stand amazed at the depth of the mystery that God became man to reconcile sinners to Himself. Christ entered our humanity that we might enter Your glory. How astonishing is Your love, how profound Your wisdom, how infinite Your compassion!
Lord Jesus, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, You alone possess the fullness of deity, yet You humbly took upon Yourself the form of a servant. You exchanged heavenly glory for earthly poverty, bearing our griefs, carrying our sorrows, and enduring the cross to redeem us. You willingly laid down Your life, demonstrating perfect obedience to the Father’s will. All praise belongs to You, Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Spirit of God, who inspired the prophets and heralded Christ’s coming, I praise You for illuminating my heart and drawing me to Christ. You have opened my eyes to behold the beauty of Emmanuel, God with us. You continually impress upon my soul the reality of Christ’s finished work, empowering me to live in constant gratitude and holy awe.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, receive my highest adoration. I join my voice with the heavenly host, declaring: “Glory to God in the highest!” Grant me grace to live every moment in joyful reflection of this eternal truth, magnifying Your great name now and forevermore.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Luke 2:14:
Luke 1:79; Col. 1:20; Psalm 148:2; Eph. 2:14.
[1] Petrus van Mastricht, Faith in the Triune God, ed. Joel R. Beeke, trans. Todd M. Rester and Michael T. Spangler, vol. 2, Theoretical-Practical Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2019), 474.
