Glory Up, Peace Down

Luke 2:14
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2024
William G. Carter

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

 

Among all the holiday chatter, there was a moment on a TV show a few weeks ago. The studio was filled with Christmas trees. The backdrop was colored in green and red. Three women in festive outfits shared their thoughts about the holiday. “It’s my favorite time of the year,” she said, “for everybody is so happy and joyful.” Apparently, she didn’t know anybody who was feeling stressed, lonely, or sad.

“I love the food,” said another. “It’s so much fun to go out to eat. So many choices, and cookies, too!” Apparently, she didn’t know anybody who’s going hungry, or can’t afford the groceries, or eats alone.”

And then the third said, “I love Christmas carols. I make my annual trip to the church and listen to the music.” Apparently, she doesn’t know that some people go to church more than once a year, or that others volunteer to make music regularly in the choir loft. Then she added, “I do have to admit, when the preacher starts talking, I zone out. All those big words they toss around in church – incarnation, redemption, reconciliation – all those words are over my head.”

Of course they are over our heads. Whatever is going on in heaven is above us. It’s beyond us. It’s up here somewhere, just out of reach. The angel Gabriel appears in a burst of light. Evening gloom is punctured by something greater than starlight. It’s so dazzling that the first thing he says is, “Don’t be afraid!”

He gives his message to a group of anonymous sheep herders, but he doesn’t explain. What’s a Messiah? Who or what is he saving us from? The only evidence of his “good news of great joy” is that the Lord will be found in the humblest of surroundings as a peasant just like them. It is a lot to take in. I agree with that lady who goes to church once a year: it’s over our heads.

But it doesn’t stay there. It comes down. What I notice in the old story is that the angel isn’t hovering overhead. He is standing on the ground. When the angelic choir appears, they are not up in the sky either, but around them, alongside the messenger. It is a multitude, which means the shepherds were surrounded. Perhaps all of us are surrounded. If only we had eyes to see what the shepherds heard!

The multitude of angels sing a song. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” It’s a short song, at least in the number of words. A Christmas song doesn’t need a lot of words.

On Sunday afternoon, I went to the Messiah singalong in Scranton. Near the end of the concert, we sang a song that needs only one word: Hallelujah. It’s a big word. I counted it up. We sang that word 165 times. If you have a good word, you don’t need many others.

In the Christmas carol tonight, there are three words: glory, peace, and favor. Glory is the fundamental exclamation of praise. The word is amplified, excessive, directed beyond us toward the heavens. It points to the truth that whatever happens in Christmas is God’s doing. And it’s big.

The second word is peace, an all-encompassing peace, literally an “all is calm, all is bright” kind of peace. Christmas comes in stillness, not commotion. Christmas reveals serenity, not chaos. Peace comes after the kids are snuggled in their beds. Or when warring nations or families declare a cease fire. That’s peace. Christmas reveals serenity at the heart of all things. It is God’s gift for us.

The third word is favor, a strange word. The peace of God is lodged “among those whom God favors.” That is s an accurate but awkward translation. The heart of it can be summed up in that grand old phrase, “good will.” The Maker of us all, out of our sight, has “good will” for the shepherds, indeed “for all the people.” God is kind, even to those who can’t be kind. God is benevolent, even to those who are stingy. God intends the best for all people.

Glory, peace, and favor. Whatever else we want to say about Christmas, this is the message. This is the song. And it is sung, not only to those who feel happy and joyful, but to those who are stressed, lonely, and sad. The song comes as a gift, not only to those who overeat and overconsume, but to those who don’t know where the next meal is coming from.

And it’s especially given to those who zone out when the preacher talks. None of those shepherds could spell the words incarnation, redemption, or reconciliation. Yet they knew the song was for them. The good news is for all the people. The God we glorify is at peace with us, and that’s the evidence of God’s good will.

So, we sing. The angels sing to the world. We return the song. The glory goes up to God, for the peace of God comes down. That is the Good News of Christmas. Heaven and earth are singing together. Christ the Lord has come.

(c) William G. Carter. All rights reserved.