Glory to God in the highest.

Something we learned this morning in church from Pastor Ray Ortlund, Jr...

There was a celebration the day Jesus was born. So much so that the heavens opened up. Luke 2:14 tells us the words the angel and the multitude of the heavenly army were using to praise God that day. They said, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" Notice the order. God first, then peace. Not peace, then God whenever you get to work Him in. It's all about the glory of God! If you don't put Him first or leave Him out of the picture all together, then there is no peace. But who is the peace for? The peace is for "those with whom he is pleased!" Fast forward 30 years or so from this day, and flip one chapter to Luke 3:22. This is right after Jesus had been baptized, and the heavens opened up again. But this time, we see that it was God who was doing the talking. Hear His words to Jesus. "You are my beloved son, with you I am well pleased." God is pleased with Christ, and if you're in Christ, He's pleased with you too.

His glory ("Glory to God in the highest...") and our peace/happiness ("...and on earth peace...") go together in Christ (among those with whom he is pleased!).