God Remembered

He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy. Luke 1:52-54

As Mary begins her song, she gives us an insight into the heart of God and sings of God remembering His mercy. Now this remembering is not the same as when we suddenly recall something long forgotten, slap ourselves on the knee and say, “O yeah! I forgot about that!” No, our God, who knows the number of hairs on our heads and has written all our days in His book before we live them, never forgets mercy for a while and then suddenly remembers again. As Mary was inspired by the Holy Spirit in her song, she was speaking of a remembrance which is more like a locket that we hang around our necks with the photo of a loved one on the inside. When Jesus was conceived in Mary, God gave Him to be that locket, and beginning with His birth in Bethlehem, He placed the photographs of everyone who believed in Him inside it. But Bethlehem was only the beginning, and God has a greater day in mind. One day God’s locket of mercy will be opened, and everyone whose name is inscribed inside will be given a place at His table and will be able to joyfully and gratefully worship Him forever in remembrance of His mercy!

Glory to God in the Highest!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 KJV

I am a big fan of the carol, “Angels We Have Heard on High.” and sometimes call it “the country Christmas carol,” because an angel showed up out in the country where shepherds were watching their sheep. But the first angel who came announcing the birth of the baby, was soon surrounded by an entire choir of angels singing, “Glory to God in the Highest!” That angel choir reminds us that Christmas is not just about Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. Christmas is about God revealing Himself in a manger. Just as the smallest candle can light the darkest room, so God’s glory shone the brightest when He came as an innocent, helpless child in the darkness of that night in the stable. Then, angels carried the message; a star led the wise men and shepherds ran to worship as God’s glory touched earth in Bethlehem.

The words of the choir of, – Angels We Have Heard on High – “Glo-ooooo-ooooo-oooooria! In excelsis Deo,” are Latin for “Glory to God in the highest. “When the message of God’s glory rings out from our hearts, though our situation may not change, we are filled with joy. If we will invite Him in, Jesus has come to be born in the very darkest places of our lives. He has come to shine God’s glory around us and to bring His good will to men.

Angels We Have Heard on High from the French"Les Anges dans nos campagnes" Music by Wilfrid Moreau. Translated in 1842 by James Chadwick