Two thousand years ago an angel stood in a field before shepherds and the glory of the Lord shone all around. He told them they would find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes who was Messiah, the Lord. Then, a host of angels stood with the angel and called out “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
This appearance of the glory of God had not taken place in over 600 years. In Ezekiel chapter ten, Ezekiel, is taken from the captives in Babylon to Jerusalem where he sees the glory of God leave the temple by way of the east gate then the Mount of Olives.
For hundreds of years the people of Israel had been serving God with their lips but their hearts were far from Him. They tolerated sin and compromise, they wanted to be like the world around them and were altogether carnal. There was no desire for purity or sincerity as they worshiped God, and the glory left.
Six hundred years later, the Glory returns and not only in that field where that angel announced the birth of the Messiah. John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word. and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” And in John 1:14 we are told, “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.”
The return of the Glory to Israel after 600 years was that Babe born in a barn and laid in a saliva streaked manger, showing that despite the glory revealed, God is not afraid to get close to mankind.
Have a blessed Christmas and may the Glory of God fill your lives and home as you stay close to the Living God!
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