Singing and music: part of Advent and Christmas since the birth of Christ.

Luke 2: 8 – 15:  there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them... and the angel said to them, "... I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord...."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests."

Think about this:  the angels, who do not need salvation, sang a song of praise to the Lord because of the Saviour's birth. How much more should we who receive salvation because God became a man for our redemption, want to sing God’s praises?    Even more than the angels we, during these seasons of Advent and Christmas, should be singing "Glory to God," because of the Saviour's birth.

"Glory to God in the highest,” the angels sang.

The newly born King had taken off his royal robes. He put his glory aside and came to us not to be served, but to serve (Phil 2:6-8; Mt 20:28). So the angels sang, "Glory to God in the highest." Glory to our God in heaven who gave the gift of his Son!

In the Book of Revelation angels are singing the same song before the throne of God. "Then I looked," says John, "and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne ... In a loud voice they sang:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise ... Amen!” (See Revelation 5:11,12; 7:12)

"Glory to God," sing the angels before the shepherds. "Glory to God," sing the angels around the throne.

"Glory" describes all the honour, praise, and majesty that belong to God. "Glory to God in the highest." means, God in heaven deserves our honour and praise.

God has brought salvation to the world.  His glory is revealed by his saving grace.  "We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (Jn 1:14b). So the angels sing, "Glory to God in the Highest."

On the first Christmas the angels sang what comes most naturally to them: "Glory to God in the highest."  All of us and the entire created world must learn and relearn the angels' song. On our lips today and everyday ought to be the words of the angels: "Glory to God in the highest."

There will come a day, a day when Christ's work is finished. On that day God will be "all in all" and "everything to everyone." On that day all of mankind, all of God's creatures, all of creation will unite in one marvellous choir; and, there will rise up to the throne of God one mighty hymn: "Glory to God in the highest,   (because) in the town of David a Saviour has been born; he is Christ the Lord."

May our songs of praise glorify him, God our Father, and Jesus his Son, who is worthy of our praise and adoration during this season of Advent, and always!