Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14
This is the song that burst forth from the angels on the night Jesus was born. Not just a couple angels who didn’t have anything else to do, but a vast host – the armies of heaven – all praising God (Luke 2:13). The entire orientation of heaven is to glorify God. All of heaven acknowledges that God has proven Himself and His ways to be most excellent and praiseworthy (Matthew 6:10). The angels knew what His arrival in the tiny town of Bethlehem meant, they just couldn’t hold back or keep quiet.
That arrival was the physical, visible proof of God’s favor, His unending love and commitment to us. It showed that His will towards us is good (Jeremiah 29:11). The whole point of His coming was to put an end to the hostility between God and man, to establish a permanent peace (Colossians 1:20).
Isn’t it incredible? God’s favor rests on mankind, despite all that we have done. Despite our smallness, our insignificance. We haven’t earned His favor or deserved it – He gives it simply because He loves us (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). And His favor remains with us because His love endures forever (Lamentations 3:22). He is steadfast even though we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:13). He will never love us less.
The response to what God has done can be none other than GLORY! Wow! He deserves the praise of both heaven and earth. His birth is the proof that God will make good on every one of His promises. What He’s said about Himself is true. What He’s said He will do on our behalf, He will do. The forgiveness, the restoration, the healing, the redemption, the victory – all of it. It kind of makes you feel like singing.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6