If you missed the first post regarding the Angel’s appearance to shepherds watching their flocks, it’s a reminder that God values you and can set you free of the stereotypes that bind you. (Read about that here)

As we continue looking at the Christmas story, we are told in Luke 2 that a host of Angels “suddenly” appeared. The word “suddenly” represents the nature of how God acts.

• The Lord will suddenly appear in the Temple. Malachi 3:1
• Suddenly a sound from Heaven like a rushing wind entered the house as the Holy Spirit showed up. Acts 2:2
• As Saul was on his way to Damascus, suddenly, a bright light appeared from Heaven. Acts 9:3
• Mark 13:36 and 1 Thessalonians 5:3 describe the suddenness of Jesus’ second coming.

So never give up hope because all of a sudden, He will appear.

Accompanying the announcement, “the glory of the Lord shone (radiated) around them.” What is the glory of God?

The glory of God is when the invisible qualities and attributes of God are made visible.

In Exodus 33, Moses intercedes on behalf of the Israelites and makes a big request of God in verse 18.

“¹⁸ Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” ¹⁹ And he (God) said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” Exodus 33:18-19

When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God revealed His goodness, His essence to Moses.

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

Everything God created expresses His divine nature and attributes and points us to Him. God is seen in all that has been made. Therefore, the world is without excuse.

Even the law, the 10 Commandments, express the glory of God. They are not some random act of God but an impartation of His glory.

Do not murder. Do not bear false testimony. Do not commit adultery. All of these reveal His attributes. His plans are not to harm you. He does not lie. He is faithful.

Yet, there is no greater expression of God’s glory than Jesus. John 1:1, 14 explains that Jesus is God and embodies the glory of God. Jesus is the clearest and complete expression of God’s glory.

Jesus’ life unveiled the attributes of God so definitively that He said, “when you see me you have seen my father,” John 14:9.

 “And He (Jesus) is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature.” Hebrews 1:3

As followers of Jesus, we are to live for the glory of God and to glorify God!

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” 2 Peter 1:3

We are to be the bearer of God’s glory to the world and to live within His glory.

The glory of God shakes and shapes the atmosphere and disrupts the natural with the supernatural.

So how can we practically give God glory and reveal His glory to the world?

#1 Obeying His commandments.

Discipleship is modeling our lives by His Word, unveiling His glory.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

#2 Worship unveils God’s glory.

Psalm 24 says that God inhabits the praises of His people. So wherever you are, whenever you are there, begin to worship God and watch God’s glory invade that space.

#3 Sharing the gospel and your testimony.

This is what the shepherds did. They obeyed and went to see if what the Angel said was true. Then they shared their testimony, what they heard and saw, with others and worshipped God.

Our duty to pursue the glory of God places a premium on these three disciplines. In everything we do, we are to reveal the glory of God, 1 Corinthians 10:31.

So ask yourself the following; Do my words, actions, and thoughts establish the glory of God?

This is your primary purpose as a Christian, not winning every argument. It’s to make visible the invisible qualities of God to the world around you!