Day 16 – Glory to God in the highest

Study Luke 2:8-20

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:13-14

An angel announced the “good news”—the very first chapter of the Gospel message—and confirmed that this news is for everyone, everywhere. One of the most profound statements found in this passage boldly declares the deity of Jesus Christ: “He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah” (verse 11).

Interestingly, the four prominent sacrifices found in the Old Testament are uniquely emphasized across the narratives of the four Gospels: Matthew highlights the trespass offering, Mark focuses on the sin offering, Luke underscores the peace offering, and John presents the burnt offering. Because Luke’s Gospel centers on the peace offering, it beautifully aligns with the angels’ announcement of “peace and goodwill” to the world. This fulfilled Isaiah’s ancient prophecy that the child born to us would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

When we picture this glorious moment (as many of us were taught as children), we often imagine the heavenly host bursting into the most beautiful song. However, verse 13 specifically notes that they were “praising God and saying…” Scripture actually only records two instances of angels singing. The first is in Job 38, where God describes the angels singing at creation before the fall of man. The second is in Revelation 5, where millions of angels surround the throne, celebrating the eternal reign of Jesus Christ. They sang before the curse of sin entered the world, and they will sing again when it is finally broken.

The angelic announcement in Luke establishes Jesus as both the promised Messiah and the ultimate peace offering, perfectly mirroring the thematic structures of the Gospels. While the heavenly host spoke their praises on that holy night, their message reminds us of a grander divine timeline: the angels sang at the dawn of creation before sin existed, and they will sing once more in eternity when sin is defeated forever. Between those two songs, Christ came to bring true peace to a broken world.

Pray with me: Father, today my heart reflects the praise of the angels on that holy night, “Glory to God in the highest”. You are mighty and glorious, Lord, and I thank You for Jesus and that heaven declared that the Messiah was born and that He is indeed the Prince of Peace! Thank You, Jesus, for being the ultimate Victor over the sin in this world. Amen. ©

Love, Pastor Iriza