The Glory of Christmas (Part One)

This week we want to explore the theme of glory by seeing glory as the very centerpiece of the Christmas event. It has been said that glory is the weighty splendor of all that is wondrous about God. It is the essence of who He is—the sum total of all His attributes expressed in perfection of character.

We see that glory expressed in the Christmas story—not only in the “glory of God,” but in the glory of the Godhead. Each of the three persons of the Trinity step forward and we see their role in “The Glory of Christmas!”

The Person of Christmas (Luke 1:31-33)

The promise of the angel was a powerful reality because it was the promise of Messiah! In v.30, the angel says to Mary, “You have found favor”—and that word favor comes from the same root as rejoice! Here is cause for rejoicing, and not fear. Why? Because Jesus is coming.

The Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, is the “Person of Christmas”, and the angel makes a seven-fold prophecy to Mary about this coming event and the Redeemer it brings…

1.    “You will conceive”- this is a medical term saying that Mary’s barrenness will be relieved.

2.    “Bring forth a son”- a medical impossibility, without benefit of a human father, for a woman to have a male child.

3.    “Name Him Jesus”- Jesus (Yeshua, Joshua) is the name that means “Jehovah (the Lord) my salvation!”

4.    “He will be great”- His greatness was displayed countless times in His wisdom, His power, His compassion, His righteousness.

5.    “Called the Son of the Most High”- a title for deity! Jesus was called this by both men and demons- who could not help but acknowledge the character of God the Son in human flesh.

The first five have all been accomplished in the world but we await the fulfillment of the final two promises…

6.    “Given a throne”- the Creator of the Universe re-assuming His rightful position as the Lord of Creation.

7.    “Shall reign forever”- it begins with the Millennial kingdom, and will continue for all eternity! The glory of Christ magnified and displayed as He reigns as King over kings and Lord over Lords!

There can be no doubt at this point what the angelic messenger is promising. She will bear the Messiah, the King of the Jews, who will reign on David’s throne forever! Notice that this fulfills…

• Isaiah’s Prophecy- “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
• The Davidic Covenant- “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever…. Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:13,16)

The glory of God’s promises fulfilled is seen in the incarnation of Jesus Christ- the Person of Christmas and the Second Person of the Trinity- fulfilling His part of the glory of Christmas. We’ll pick up here tomorrow…