more glory of Christmas

The glory of Christmas is not in the decorations, lights or even all the festive songs.  This glory was first found in the humility of a manger that found it’s culmination in the death of the cross and the emptying of the tomb.  Jesus is what Christmas is all about.

Last night this glory became even more real for me in the reading of a familiar passage that is not directly related to Christmas.  It is the glory of Jesus.

As you read through some of the verses of Psalm 145 take note of the things that remind you of what we know as the Christmas story as well as the awe that comes in to our lives when we spend time with Jesus.  These verses jumped out to me, and I pray they will do much of the same for you.

Psalm 145  NLT

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever… 3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!  No one can measure his greatness. 4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. 5 I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. 6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. 7 Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. 8 The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 9 The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation… 12 They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign… 15 The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it… 18 The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them…

The depth of these verses takes to what the shepherds must have heard and felt that night of the angels’ visit and their finding Jesus.  It was surreal.  It was almost too much to believe.  But they met Jesus that night.

Last Sunday morning as I approached our church building a few hours before our worship and Christmas lunch I was overcome by the presence of fog.  You couldn’t see the building from a couple hundred feet away.  As I got closer you could see the outline of the building, and the closer I got the more I could see or realize.  The same is true about getting closer to God.

We can enjoy His glory.  We much share what we see and learn.  He is merciful.  His compassion comes through.

The fog of our lives clouds our perception or view of God.  He will change our thinking.  He will change our acting.  He will change the people around us.  He will leave us wanting more and more of His glory in and around our lives.

The glory of Christmas is the glory of Jesus.  Enjoy it.  Spend more time being quiet in that glory!

Psalm 46:10  NLT

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”