We talk a lot about the glory of God at Christmas: angels singing ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests’ (Luke 2:14), a phrase echoed in many of the carols we sing. ‘Glory’ can be a hard term to define, but is generally used to mean the splendour, beauty and majesty associated with God as well as referring to the honour or renown due to God because of His character and achievements. In the Christmas narratives, this is usually associated with bright lights that dazzle. Since God is light (1 Jn 1:5), that association makes a lot of sense.
Matt Redman has written a song based on the carol ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ (which talks of the dark streets of Bethlehem being illuminated by ‘the everlasting light‘) which has the chorus ‘the glory of Christmas is the glory of Christ/ And the story of Christmas is the story of His love.’ (‘O Little Town (The Glory of Christmas)’, Matt Redman). As we draw close to Christmas, we do well to remember that its glory is not in the lights we see on Christmas trees or in shops and that the joy we feel is not due to the food or drink we consume or the presents we open. The glory of Christmas is the glory of Christ: Christ shining His light into the darkness, lighting up the gloom, despair and hopelessness of the world and infusing it with hope, joy and peace. The story of Christmas is not about office parties, Father Christmas or family get-togethers; it is about God’s love entering our world in tangible form and reminding us that we are not alone. That glory can be ours this weekend and throughout every day of our lives.
