31 Meditations for Advent and Christmas
"The King Who is to come; O come let us adore Him."
30th Day: THE ANGEL'S SONG
"The King Who is to come; O come let us adore Him."
30th Day: THE ANGEL'S SONG
On the night of the Nativity a countless multitude
of the heavenly host were singing the praises
of the newborn King. Let us listen to them.
They are singing Gloria in excelsis Deo-- "Glory to God in the highest!" It is the first song they have sung on earth since the Fall. It is sung on the occasion of the infinite humiliation of the Son of God. Yet they sing, "Glory to God in the highest!" It must, therefore, be a source of unspeakable glory to God that He has taken the form of a servant, that He has humbled Himself to the very dust. If this is such a source of glory to God, my true glory must consist in humbling myself.
They are also singing of peace to men. What sort of peace? Not external peace, for Christ came not to bring peace, but a sword; but true peace, internal peace, that tranquility of soul that nothing can destroy. This is the boon that Christ gives to all who love Him, in proportion to their love.
But peace not for all, but for men of good will. Christ indeed brought peace to all, but all did not accept it--only those whose good-will and loyal spirit of submission made them ready to acknowledge Him as their Lord, and whom, therefore, the goodwill of God had predestined to the eternal peace and joy of Heaven. God grant that I may be one of these!
They are singing Gloria in excelsis Deo-- "Glory to God in the highest!" It is the first song they have sung on earth since the Fall. It is sung on the occasion of the infinite humiliation of the Son of God. Yet they sing, "Glory to God in the highest!" It must, therefore, be a source of unspeakable glory to God that He has taken the form of a servant, that He has humbled Himself to the very dust. If this is such a source of glory to God, my true glory must consist in humbling myself.
They are also singing of peace to men. What sort of peace? Not external peace, for Christ came not to bring peace, but a sword; but true peace, internal peace, that tranquility of soul that nothing can destroy. This is the boon that Christ gives to all who love Him, in proportion to their love.
But peace not for all, but for men of good will. Christ indeed brought peace to all, but all did not accept it--only those whose good-will and loyal spirit of submission made them ready to acknowledge Him as their Lord, and whom, therefore, the goodwill of God had predestined to the eternal peace and joy of Heaven. God grant that I may be one of these!