It’s inevitable.  At some point this holiday season, your lung capacity is going to be put to the test.  You’ll be standing in church, or at a carol sing, or maybe even in your own home belting out the Christmas tunes. 

And then the angels will be heard on high.

“Glo- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – ri-a, in excelsios Deo”.  Those dashes represent that part of the song where you have to decide if you’re going to go for it, and try to completely exhale all traces of air in your lungs before you get to the next line.

You know what I’m talking about.

So the other day I was doing a study on exactly what “glory” is.  In scripture, glory is always linked to  God’s self-revelation.  One commentary said, “God’s glory is revealed by His coming to be present with us, His people, and to show us Himself by His actions in our world”.

And that’s what Christmas is all about.  God’s self-revelation in human form.

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”.  (John 1:14)

So this year, the next time I inhale deeply and try to sing the “Gloria” part of that Christmas song without taking a breath, I’m going to use those few moments to think about what I’m singing.  God revealed Himself.  To us.  In a manger.

And that thought alone should indeed leave me breathless.

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”  Matthew 1:23

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”  John 11:40

The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together;  For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.   Isaiah 40:5

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9