Rev Koay Kheng Hin
25 December 2023
As we celebrate Christmas, it is indeed only right that we draw insights from the narrative of the birth of Jesus. As much as Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, I believe that it is also a good time of the year to reflect on life and the direction in which we are heading.
What is it about being children of God that sets us apart from others who have not yet been able to call God their Father? There are diverse answers we can give to this particular question, but one answer stands out as having particular significance.
The sermon text for today is Luke 2:8-14 and I read.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
This narrative found in the gospel of Luke describes the angelic visitation experienced by shepherds, in which news of the birth of Jesus was proclaimed to them.
Verse 9 makes mention of the manifestation of the glory of God. The glory of God symbolises and depicts the awe, majesty, radiance, and unsurpassed greatness of God.
In such a manifestation, we mere human beings are naturally overwhelmed. The reaction of the shepherds is thus described: “They were terrified.” This description refers to what is often called the fear of God. It is a positive response of reverence and awe as a human being beholds the Almighty. Such is the effect of the glory of God on us.
Matthew 17:1-6 describes such an encounter that Peter, James, and John had on a high mountain in what is described as the transfiguration of Jesus.
Verse 2 is a succinct description of the manifestation of the glory of God, “There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.” By verse 6, we read of these three disciples being terrified, expressing the fear of God as they encountered God through hearing his voice.
The biblical record notes the encounter Moses had with God in his burning bush experience of Exodus 3.
The prophet Isaiah’s encounter with God in his manifested glory is found in Isaiah 6. The apostle Paul was transformed when he saw the blinding light of the glory of God on the road to Damascus, as recorded in Acts 9.
How do all these encounters—the shepherds at the birth of Jesus, the disciples at the transfiguration of Jesus, Moses in his burning bush encounter, Isaiah in his vision of the glory of God, and Paul on the road to Damascus—apply to us?
Praise be to God, such occasions of seeing God’s glory manifest in less dramatic ways are for all of us, God’s children.
In Christ Jesus, we not only have the glory of God covering us, but more than that, we carry the glory of God in us since we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
This Christmas is the appropriate time for all of us as children of God not to lose the wonder of being enveloped by the glory of God around our lives and also within our own. Whatever circumstances we may be in and whatever issues we may have, may our consciousness of this enveloping glory of God liberate us from anxiety and worry.
May this awareness of the glory of God bring us hope amid despair. May the radiance of the glory of God dispel the cloud of darkness over our lives.
What then is the significant answer to the question, “What is it about being children of God that sets us apart from others who have not yet been able to call God their Father?”
The significance of the answer is that God’s glory envelops His children. In conclusion, as we celebrate Christmas, may we all indeed, together with the angelic hosts, praise God and say, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” (Luke 2:14). To God be the glory. Amen!
LOGOS 