Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-4, NIV)
The angelic song to the shepherds appears all over Christmas cards and carols. The familiar themes of joy and peace blend in with the festivities. In a busy season and world surging with conflict, peace is a hopeful prospect.
This year, I read Luke 2 in parallel with Paul’s praise in Ephesians 1:1-14 and something changed. I noticed the two lines of angelic praise encapsulate the whole gospel: God’s redemptive plan for the world through the incarnation.
Glory to God: God must be honored for his administration of all things in the spiritual and physical realms. The incarnation starts and ends with God as he planned and enacted our redemption.
Peace with God: In sending Christ, God united himself with creation to restore the relationship between God and man. This peace overflows to human relationships and, eventually, all creation will be renewed.
Far from simply a happy song, the angels publicly declare a mystery now accessible to all—reconciliation has been initiated and will continue until its complete fulfillment. The song is a reminder that in Jesus all is made well.
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