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Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christmas is a time for rejoicing at the Glory of God. I have been reading some old hymns over the last few days. I have been particularly struck by hymns based on the Angels proclamation in Luke 2:14:“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”. One old hymn that I found was written by Hilary of Poitiers (c. 300-368 AD) who was famous for battling the heretical belief of Arianism. He used "Gloria in excelsis Deo" (Latin for "Glory to God in the highest") in a hymn about the Glory of God. Part of that hymn reads: “O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesus Christ. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. …. For thou only art Holy. Thou only art the Lord. Thou only art the Most High. Thou only, O Jesu Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art Most High in the glory of God the Father. Amen”
As I was meditating on the glory of God I read Paul’s words from Romans 11: "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. AMEN."
I love those words: “who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” The Father has given us the greatest of all gifts – Jesus Christ. It is to His Glory that He came. The Glory of God is found in the person and work of Jesus – a gift that cannot be repaid. Jesus came from Heaven to Earth so we could go from Earth to Heaven. Who can repay that? Gloria in excelsis Deo!!!
Pastor Simon
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