To God be the Glory!!

Gloria in excelsis deo! We sing it every year at Christmas – Glory, in the highest to God — and our words proclaim to God the most exalted honor, adoration, praise and thanksgiving!

However, do our hearts align with our words? Do we really praise and adore God when life is hard? Do we give Him thanksgiving and the highest honor no matter our circumstances? Or do we merely sing the words. When life is good, the words reflect our praise. When we are suffering, do we truly mean what we sing?

When Alzheimer’s has robbed a loved one of understanding and mobility. Do you mean it?

When your daughter tells you she’s pregnant – at 15… Do you mean it?

When your boyfriend tells you he sees nothing wrong with online pornography… Do you mean it?

When you’re waiting for biopsy results… Do you mean it?

When you’re struggling with grief that simply won’t let go… do you mean it?

When another month comes and goes and there’s still no baby… Do you mean it?

When your adult child refuses to forgive your past and withholds his love… Do you mean it?

When your sister enters hospice… Do you mean it?

When it’s your first divorced Christmas… Do you mean it?

When life is harder than you can bear, and you despair even unto death… Do you mean it?

When the darkness is so thick you can’t see or feel anything but oppression… Do you mean it?

When the hardest part of the day is living… Do you mean it?

When there doesn’t seem to be anything glorious in your life… Do you mean it?

When your prayers are not answered as you would like, do you withhold praise?

If this Christmas is not what you had hoped, will you pause to ask God what He wants for you in your circumstances? Will you submit to the Sovereign, All-Wise God, who always does what is right, even in your less-than-glorious circumstances, and praise him for his wisdom and care? Or will you mouth the words without truly meaning them?

There are choices in our circumstances: we can let them lead us to self pity and defeat, or we can let them lead us beyond ourselves, into the presence of God. Our circumstances can lead us to Bethlehem, to the manger where God stepped out of heaven and came as a baby, to be with us, even in our difficulties.

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11 NIV

Our circumstances can lead us to the cross, where Jesus died, so that we might be redeemed from the futility of fate and karma and every other idea that battles to take the place of the Sovereign God in our lives.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” – 1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV

We can let our circumstances lead us to the empty tomb, and fall on our knees in humble adoration of the Risen Lord, where God is waiting to lift us up.

“‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’” – Matthew 11:29-30 NIV

When you choose to let your circumstances carry you to Jesus, you will find rest, strength, courage and love. You will find the resolve to stand with the saints and angels and proclaim:

Gloria in excelsis deo
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!