Young Adults' Group

A Glimpse Of The Glory Of The Lord

by Pastor Mark
December 19, 2019

The glory of Lord in the Christmas story

In less than a week, we will be celebrating Christmas. It is always wonderful to take time to read the Christmas story as recorded by the gospel writers, Matthew and Luke. In the narrative of the nativity story, the writers were able to include their insights. These insights reflect how they had seen the glory of the Lord.

Matthew wrote about Joseph’s response to the discovery of the pregnancy of Mary. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph to reveal the truth. The gospel writer included his insights concerning this special event that revealed the glory of the Lord.

A glimpse of the glory of the Lord

In what way did Matthew see the glory of the Lord?

1. The glory of the prophetic plan of God fulfilled

“So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:” (Matt 1:22)

Matthew wrote of the fulfilment of the prophetic plan of the Lord. He quoted the words of the prophet Isaiah. (Isa 7:14) God gave this prophecy as a sign to King Ahaz. Matthew was able to see the fulfilment of this sign as he recorded the story of the angel speaking to Joseph. Even though this prophecy was given by the Lord and written many centuries ago, it was wonderfully fulfilled. God brought about its fulfilment. Matthew was able to see the glory of the fulfilment of God’s prophetic plan. Let us understand and appreciate the glory of God in the fulfilment of prophecy.

2. The glory of the power of God

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son,” (Matt 1:23)

The sign that God gave was that the virgin would conceive and be with child. It was a humanly impossible thing to do. There was no way that the virgin Mary could conceive on her own. This was why Joseph’s only conclusion was that Mary’s pregnancy was due to her unfaithfulness. But the angel of the Lord revealed to Mary the truth, that the Child in her was due to the work of the Holy Spirit. The power of God created in Mary a baby. It was a divine miracle that reflected the amazing glory of the Lord. This Child was a special Son. He was the glorious Son of God, and His name would be called Jesus. He would become the Saviour of the world. This was indeed no ordinary baby in Mary. It was something to truly behold. Let us see and behold the glory of the power of God in giving to the virgin Mary a child who was the Son of God.

3. The glory of the presence of God

“and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matt 1:23)

The baby would be called “Immanuel”. It was indeed a significant name which means “God with us”. The baby Jesus would reflect the presence of God. He was God who had come down to be with us all. The name “Immanuel” is meant for us to believe in and to hope in. His presence should allay all fears and all uncertainties that we may have. The presence of God is meant to give us assurance and encouragement to our hearts. Let us stand in awe of the glory of the presence of the Lord. Let us be challenged to have a deeper glimpse of the glory of the Lord as seen in the story of Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus. Let us respond by rejoicing and being assured as we face the challenges of life this Christmas.

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