Often referred to as “the angelic hymn,” the Gloria was first intoned by the angels from heaven for the birth of Christ on earth. The Gloria is a true hymn, sung by the angels and found in Luke 2:14. It is also known as the Gloria in excelsis Deo from the first line of the Latin translation. The Messiah’s coming brings glory to God in the heavens and peace to humans on earth.
Long check-out lines, blaring commercials: “Only 10 more shopping days until Christmas!” Social media posts reminding you, you never did get that perfect family portrait for the annual Christmas card—but it looks like everyone else did!
Where is the peace of Christmas?
Wearily, you plop into your favorite chair and start scrolling through the news. Stolen cars and reckless driving in the city. Drug overdoses taking too many young lives. Desperation at our borders. War and unrest abroad.
Where is the peace of Christmas?
We think of peace as the absence of trouble, but the biblical concept of peace, or Shalom is much richer. Shalom describes wholeness and restoration. Jesus was called the “Prince of Peace” in the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6) because He would be the One to bring reconciliation between God and humanity by paying for our sins with His death on the Cross: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:19-20). Jesus has reconciled us to the Father, and as we walk with Him, He restores us and makes us whole.
So, when we read the Gloria, we can know that the angels were really making an announcement to the shepherds: Now that Jesus is here, so is peace.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He greeted everyone with the same announcement: “Peace be with you.” Peace, or Shalom is part of Jesus’ nature, so where He is, there will also be peace. Even in the midst of an over-committed season. Even in a world of suffering.
For Reflection:
- When do you most feel the shalom of Christ?
- How can you be someone who brings the shalom of Christ into the lives of others?
Nativity Building Activity: Place animal figures in the stable. This barn was a humble place for Jesus—the King of highest Heaven—to be born!
by Laure Herlinger
Week 4 Family Talk
What comes to mind when you hear the word “angel”? Do you think of fairy-like creatures in long flowing gowns, holding harps and flying among the clouds?
That’s how artists have been depicting angels for many years (even just flip back 2 pages to see an artist’s rendition of an angel!), but what if I told you that the Bible gives us a very different picture of angels? There are only two angels named in the Bible: Michael (Revelation 12:7), and Gabriel (Luke 1:19 and 26) – names that we associate with boys.
In this week’s Scripture reading, we see an angel appearing to the shepherds. The very first thing the angel says is: “Do not be afraid!” Rough-and-tumble shepherds probably wouldn’t be afraid of angels in flowy gowns! THIS angel looked powerful!
In fact, in Luke 2:13 we read that “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel.” The word “host” here really means an army of angels! Think back to all the Bible stories you know where angels show up—they’re protecting, leading, battling the enemy and yes, delivering super-important messages! They’re more like soldiers than fairies!
And these soldier-angels were worshiping God, saying:
“May glory be given to God in the highest heaven!
And may peace be given to those he is pleased with on earth!” (Luke 2:14, NIrV)
In other words, our praise and worship—glory—goes UP to God, who deserves it! And, the peace of Jesus comes DOWN to be with us. This is the good news of Christmas!
Reflection Questions:
- What are some Bible stories that you know of, that include angels? What are the angels doing in these stories?
- What are some ways that we give God glory? What does this look like?
- Jesus came to earth as a human baby to lead us back to his Father. How does knowing this help us to have peace?
by Laure Herlinger
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