Restoring the Glory
by Marty Copeland
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:13-14
Don’t you just love Christmas? It’s my favorite time of year!
When Jesus was born, it was not only the glorious birth of God’s Son, but it was the birth of God’s eternal plan to restore the glory and covering Adam and Eve had walked in. From the beginning, God’s strategy was to undo the effects of man’s fall from glory and grace by redeeming us from the curse that had come on man in the Garden of Eden.
Imagine the excitement in heaven when God’s plan was being set forth on the earth. Straight from the throne, the angel of the Lord announced the good news to a few shepherds, and declared Jesus’ birth was to be great joy to all. Not just joy, but great joy! The heavenly host joined in to praise God and release the powerful words from heaven—“on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). This was a monumental time in history. Everything was about to change!
Jesus’ life and message demonstrated the love of a heavenly Father whose grace, mercy and forgiveness offered fallen man a way out from under the burdensome Law. He is such a God of freedom! Through His ministry, Jesus revealed a new covenant and how God wanted to relate with mankind as a loving Father. It was and is a brilliant plan to restore the fellowship God had enjoyed in the Garden with Adam and Eve.
This new covenant of love brought hope and a plan for restoration and reconciliation with God. While the old covenant was all about “the law of doing,” and brought condemnation, the new covenant, with the “law of grace,” removed all burdens and condemnation.
By accepting Jesus as Savior, and His life of love, hope and peace, we have been translated from the kingdom of darkness and empowered to live a new life in His kingdom of light. Accepting Jesus allows us to live in supernatural peace and to firmly shut the door to Satan’s torment. Our past is forgiven and we are each given a clean slate on which God’s plan can be written.
I love how Paul describes us now as “new creatures.” What an awesome plan God set in motion for us to become born-again believers!
14 : BVOV
