Glory to God (Gloria in Excelsis)

Heavens declared the birth of Jesus and the earth rejoiced over good will and peace of God toward all people. Psalm 29:2 - Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of his holiness. The followings are discussed: Christ Born at Bethlehem; Angels Proclaimed Glory to God, and Christ Found and Proclaimed.

The time of Christ birth coincided with the time that Caesar Augustus of the Roman Empire made the tax decree which required families to go back to their ancestral home town to be counted and taxed. The census wasn't by chance, it's coincidence with Christ's birth can be described as an event according to the will of God. Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be born in a small town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Joseph took Mary, his espoused wife with him and went over a long journey to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-5).

Christ Born at Bethlehem: Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem and when the day she would deliver was accomplished, there wasn't room for them in the inn that she brought forth her first child in a manger. Scholars have different views about the manger. Some suggested person's home shared with animal, others believed it was an open-air courtyard near the inn. But Luke showed that Christ was born in an obscure and humble place.

Angels Proclaim Glory to God: Most times God used ordinary people to accomplish His purpose. He used shepherds who were abiding in the field, watching over the flock to announce the birth of the Messiah. He sent His angels to the humble group of ordinary people to declare the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah (Luke 2:8-12). The shepherds were afraid when they saw an angel and God's glory was shining around them. God's presence is awesome and those having the encounter can be frightened. The shepherds were told not to be afraid, but to rejoice because God had selected them to declare the good news to all people

The angel was joined by a great host of angels to proclaim praises of God concerning roles the new born Child, the Son of God would play (Luke 2:13-14). That he would bring peace, reconcile humankind to God and through him believers would be ushered into the real presence of God. Christ's coming shows that God has given the world a precious gift that will make it possible for people to enter into eternal relationship with him.

Christ Found and Proclaimed: The shepherds didn't hesitate to go and see the Messiah. Once they got to the place they saw the new born Son and honoured him. They went and told everybody the good news (Luke 2:15-20). While they were sharing the good news Mary was wondering over the glorious events about the birth of her Son. She had been told that her Son would be the Saviour. The shepherd returned, praising and giving glory to God. Lesson texts: Luke 2:1-20