December
17

“Glory to God in the Highest”

And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, the angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they feared with great fear. And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people. For to you is born this day a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be the sign to you: you shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling‐clothes, laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory in the highest to God, and on earth peace, good will among men. (Luke 2:8‒14)

A “shepherd,” or one who feeds the flock, denotes one who teaches the good of charity and leads to it. (Arcana Coelestia 4713)

“Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him,” signifies influx from the Lord into heaven, and thus the unanimity of the angels, that all who are in the truths of faith and in the goods of love should worship the Lord as the only God of heaven. … These things are said … concerning the New Church to be established by the Lord. (Apocalypse Revealed 809.1)

previous		next