“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14
This is the song sung by the angels to the shepherds when Jesus was born. We see this verse on Christmas cards and hear it sung at Christmas concerts. Is it the song you’re singing? Or are you like me: so busy preparing for a holiday celebrating the birth of our Lord that you feel you don’t have time to sing praises to Him?
We hear about how busy the holiday season is and at least once each year I hear someone (often myself) say that they wish it were different, that we could slow down to enjoy the season more. We say that next year will be different. Next year we’ll cut out activities, or pare down gift giving, or streamline decorating. But next year never seems to come, does it? Sometimes we take positive steps in that direction, but then something happens to throw a curve ball into our well-laid plans of a peaceful holiday season.
Maybe the real problem isn’t our pace of life. Maybe we need to remember to praise God regardless of what’s going on around us. Are you overwhelmed by your to-do list? Praise God! Are you excited about the upcoming holiday? Praise God! Are you sad, lonely, or grieving? Praise God! Is your faith so alive and real that you can’t help but shout and sing? Praise God! Does your faith seem dead and dry? Praise God! How can we praise Him in all these circumstances? By remembering that He still is in the highest heaven, He is the author of peace, and His love sent the baby in the manger who grew to be the Savior on the cross. Praise God!