ST. LUKE 2:8-14
THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2007
DOES THE GLORY STILL SHINE?
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” ST. LUKE 2:8-14 (NKJV)
For some people this is the day after Christmas, while for others it is the First Day of Christmas. For some people today is the day to take the Christmas Tree down and put all of the decorations away, while for others the Christmas Tree was not put up and decorated until Christmas Eve and it will be the center of attention until January 6th. For some the glory of Christmas is gone, replaced by worry about how to pay the Christmas bills and getting on with life. For some people there is more peace in their hearts, their lives and their relationships with others, while for other people there is hurt, and there is disappointment because the material part of today's Christmas did not provide them all that they wanted and felt they deserved.
In year past, the four weeks of Advent were times of preparation for the coming of the Lord, not only when He came at His Birth, but equally important when He will come again, descending on the clouds to take with Him to Heaven those who have prepared for and anxiously await His return for them. During the Advent Season, the Hymns of Christmas were not sung, only the Hymns of His Coming. Christmas was so important that people would attend a Christmas Eve Service, return the next morning for a Christmas Service and then return again the next day for a Second Christmas Day Service. The glory was shining there.
Today, the glory still shines on Christmas Eve and in some places on Christmas Day. Sadly, in all too many places the doors of the church are locked and the lights are out on Christmas morning, unless Christmas happens to fall on a Sunday. A few years ago, when Christmas was on Sunday, there was even discussion in many places concerning not having a Worship Service on Sunday. Was this because the people did not want to go to church two days in a row or because the pastor did not want to prepare two sermons? The shining glory is beginning to fade. Is there any place that anyone knows of where they still have a Worship Service on Second Christmas Day, with the exception of when Christmas falls on a Saturday? The glow of the glory gets dimmer and dimmer.
The Shepherds on the hillside just outside of Bethlehem on that quiet night were suddenly filled with the Glory of the Lord as it shown around them. That Glory continued to shine as it led them to the manger in Bethlehem where they worshiped the New Born King. This was not like the Star that led the Wise Men. This was a Glory that filled them, that moved them, that led them.
Today, the twelve days of Christmas begin. Don’t allow the glory of Christmas to dim, fade or go out. Instead do what you can to keep that glory burning not only in your life, but also in the lives of others. Don’t be afraid of that glory, but welcome it, keep it, fuel it so that the glory will lead you to that great day when this same One who came will come again and call you unto His own.
WE PRAY:
Angels, sing your sweet refrain—
Glory in the highest, glory!
Tell the waiting earth your story
Of the Christ Who came to reign.
Sing—sing that sweet song again,
Earth and sky repeat the story—
Glory in the highest, glory!
On earth peace, good will to men. Amen.
A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION
Usually we receive something for Christmas that we don’t need, don’t want or does not fit. Maybe it is too much food that does not fit our diet. Maybe it is a book that either we have read or does not fit our reading selections. Maybe it is a piece of clothing that does not fit our style, size or color choice. If you can do it without offending the person who gave it to you, consider giving it to someone who would really appreciate the gift. The food to a neighbor who because of age or health no longer bakes those good things or because of budget problems cannot afford those candies they used to enjoy so much. The book for someone who enjoys reading and then encourage that person to pass it on to someone else. The clothes to someone in a care facility who would just appreciate something nice, regardless of the style or color. One last thing. Include a note telling of the importance of celebrating the birth of Christ and that you are doing this as a way of sharing your gifts with others, Don’t forget to tell them that the greatest gift that you will give them is your promise to pray for them.
You can also come up with your own way of keeping the GLORY SHINING.