Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Sermon -- Advent Vespers: Week 3 (December 16, 2020)

  LUKE 2:14

THE HYMNS OF ADVENT

THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS – THE SONG OF THE ANGELS

In the name + of Jesus.

      What makes angels sing?  When we encounter angels throughout the Bible, they are usually sent to deliver a message.  They speak words of instruction, such as when the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to not be afraid to take Mary to be his wife.  They issue words of warning, such as when the angels came to Sodom to guide Lot and his family out of the city so that they would not be destroyed with it.  Occasionally, God sends an angel to deliver his saints from peril, such as the angel who preserved Daniel in the lions’ den or the angel who brought Peter out of prison so that he would not be martyred by Herod.  We even hear about angels who are sent out to put the wicked to death, such as was done with the Egyptians at the Passover or with the large Assyrian army which had surrounded Hezekiah in Jerusalem.

     So when we encounter the angels in the Scriptures, they are delivering a message or protecting the righteous or slaying the wicked.  But they don’t sing very often.  So, what makes angels sing? 

     The first time the angels sang was at Creation.  When the Lord interrogated Job, he asked, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?  Tell me, if you have understanding.  Who determined its measurements—surely you know!  Or who stretched the line upon it?  On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7)  God’s creation gave the angels a reason to sing.

     We also know that the angels sing in the presence of God.  Both Isaiah and the apostle John received a glimpse of that.  Here is what Isaiah witnessed.  Above (the Lord) stood the seraphim.  Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’” (Isaiah 6:2-3)  Both Isaiah and John state that the angels called this out to one another.  Whether they sing, chant, or shout, being in the presence of the glory and majesty of the Triune God is reason to stand in awe and to make a joyful noise to the Lord.

     The angels’ most famous hymn, however, came when the Lord joined himself to our human race.  When the Lord entered our world, he emptied himself of majesty, of power, of glory, and even of immortality.  The Lord humbled himself, but the angels exalted him above all things.  They declared that God’s salvation has come to mankind, and they sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14) 

     We are right to take our cue from the angels as we consider our reasons for offering up our songs of praise.  If God is to be praised, there ought to be particular reasons for it.  Now, to be sure, there are a myriad of reasons to be in awe of God.  He is almighty.  He is eternal.  He is holy.  But if we focus on these attributes, our God seems no different than what is confessed of Allah, Vishnu, the sun-god Re, Zeus, or Baal.  Surely we have better reasons to sing than God is awesome and almighty.  If we praise God because he is awesome, how will that comfort us when we are sad?  If we sing to God because he is almighty, we will wonder why he does not use his might when we are hurting.  If we praise God because he is eternal and immortal, will we be encouraged when we are dying and our time is running out?

     What makes the angels sing?  It is for more than the general majesty of God.  The angels respond to a particular action that shows and bestows God’s grace.  Ironically, the angels praise God for a grace that does not benefit them!  The angels are not in need of mercy since they do not sin.  The angels don’t need to be delivered from a dying world of sorrows since they dwell in the perfect glories of heaven.  The angels do not need comfort because they always know peace.  They do not need encouragement because they always delight in doing God’s bidding.  What makes the angels sing?  It is because God has been gracious to you.

     The angel hosts assembled at a field outside of Bethlehem and sang, “Glory to God in the highest!” (Luke 2:14)  Why was God worthy of such glory?  For the very reason the angel had announced to the shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)  Glory to God in the highest!  For he has sent a Savior to all mankind—a Savior to take away the sins of the world, a Savior to rescue you from a world ruled by death, a Savior to silence all the accusations of the devil against you, a Savior who will restore God’s created order so that you will be forever free from sadness, illness, loneliness, hopelessness, and every form of wickedness.  Glory to God in the highest—not because the angels need this, but because you do, and especially because God has been pleased to provide this for you.

     While angels sing praises and proclaim good news, it is God himself who comes to provide the salvation you need.  God does not delegate this to anyone.  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)  Glory to God in the highest!  For the Lord himself has come for you.  The Lord himself has become one with you.  It is God who comes to take up your cause, to live for you in innocence, to die for you under the divine curse, and the destroy the power of death by his resurrection for you.  The angels marvel at the love that God has for sinners, that he would endure all of this to save you.  Glory to God in the highest!  God has become a man to save mankind.  He is pleased to do it, and the angel choirs sing and rejoice because of it.

     “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)  Thanks to the Savior whom God sends, there is no one on earth who should be without God’s peace.  Jesus took upon himself every sin of every sinner, and endured the full wrath of God in order to make the full payment for sin.  Therefore, the proclamation of “Peace on earth” is not peace limited to a few, but peace declared to all, secured for all, and intended for all.  This is why the angel made it clear that it is “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)  God has sent a Savior who reconciles the whole world to himself.  Sinners are forgiven.  The wicked have been redeemed.  The enemies of God have been reconciled.  Instead of damnation, peace is proclaimed.  It is undeserved, unearned, and even unasked for.  God gives it anyway.  What grace is demonstrated to a sinful world!  Even the angels are amazed by it and cannot help but sing for joy!

     What makes the angels sing?  Not only that God has done all that is necessary to save you, but also that you yourself have been saved.  The Lord Jesus has made the payment for the sins of all, but only those who believe benefit from it.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.  Peace is forfeited only by those who do not believe.  Therefore, the good news of great joy goes out to all people so that they might hear it, believe it, and be saved by it. 

     What makes the angels sing?  When God brings a sinner into his grace, the angels sing.  For this is what the Lord says: “I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)  That does not mean that the angels no longer rejoice over you; it means that you rejoice along with them—with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.  As Jesus comes to us in Holy Communion, we sing the song of heaven: “Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts; heaven and earth are full of your glory.”  And heaven sings with us, “Hosanna in the highest!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”  We join our song together because God is good, and in particular because God is good to us and saves us.

     What makes the angels sing?  God’s goodness.  The angels sang for joy when God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them.  All these things God created for you.  They were all undeserved, unearned, and unasked for.  God did it anyway, because God delights in you and wants to bless you.

     What makes the angels sing?  God’s grace.  God joined himself to his creation to make you a new creation.  He has destined to receive a new heaven and a new earth.  And when Jesus comes again to deliver you to this renewed, restored, and righteous creation, the angels will accompany him.  They will sing his praises, and we will join them.  Everlasting peace is given.  The Savior has come.  Glory to God in the highest!

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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