“The Glory of the Lord shone around them…” (Luke 2: 9b)

How does one even start to explain or comprehend the Glory of God?!  Yes, we can read of the glory of God from Genesis to Revelation.  From God’s glory in the beginning illuminating the earth (His Shekinah Glory - “dwelling or settling of the divine presence of God”),… to God walking with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day,… to God descending upon Mount Sinai,… to God filling the tabernacle in the wilderness,… to God filling Solomon’s temple,.. to God coming to earth in human form - God incarnate - Jesus - Immanuel - “God with us.”   “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 14),…to that coming city that Revelation speaks of, “The city had no need of the sun or moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.” (21: 23b)   Though we cannot fully explain or comprehend God’s glory this side of heaven, like the shepherds (cf. Luke 2:8-10), we can humbly accept God’s gift of Salvation, “…which the Lord has made known to us.”   And in humble adoration- Worship and Praise Him!   And like the lyrics to the song, I can only Imagine - “I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by Your side, I can only imagine what my eyes will see when Your face is before me….surrounded by Your Glory what will my heart feel…I can only imagine.”

But, we are not in heaven yet.  We are not saved just for heaven’s sake but for earthly sake.  The bible reminds us “to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4: 2-3)

You and I are able to live out the christian life because of “Christ in us, the hope of glory!” (cf. Colossians 1: 27)

“To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen!”

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Rodney