DECEMBER 16, 2014
A
Ukrainian Christmas
Read: Luke
2:6-14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! —Luke 2:14
The people of Ukraine
include many wonderful elements in their observance of Christmas. Sometimes
wisps of hay are placed on the dinner table as a reminder of the Bethlehem
manger. Another portion of their celebration echoes the events of the night
when the Savior entered the world. A Christmas prayer is offered and then the
father in the household offers the greeting, “Christ is born!” The family then
responds, “Let us glorify Him!”
These words draw my
mind to the appearance of the angels in the sky over Bethlehem on the night
Christ was born. The angel of the Lord declared, “For there is born to you this
day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The
heavenly host responded, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill
toward men!” (v.14).
Those twin messages
give such depth of meaning to this wonderful time of year. The Savior has come
bringing forgiveness and hope—and He is deserving of all the worship we can
give Him.
May all who know the
wonder of His gift of eternal life join with the voices of that angelic host
declaring, “Glory to God in the highest!”
With th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!” —Wesley
The
spectacular glory of God’s love for us was revealed in the coming of Jesus.
Insight
Luke’s telling of the
birth of Christ includes the shepherds, who lived apart from society in their
lowly occupation, and the angels, who announced to those shepherds the arrival
of the Messiah (vv.9-14). From the humble to the heavenly, the contrast of
shepherds and angels pictures the journey of the Son who came from the highest
place to be the Lamb of God.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
