The Shepherds Praised and Glorified God

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Luke 2:20
Psalters: 368, 187, Song of Mary, 58
  1. The praise.
    1. To praise and glorify are similar in magnifying (making great) God.
      1. These words are distinguishable in their emphasis.
      2. And there is a difference in the form of the praise.
    2. All praise and glorification of God consists of the following elements.
    3. To glorify God means that we:
      1. Speak to Him.
      2. Also speak of Him to others.
      3. And our walk harmonizes with our confession.
    4. Right glorying at Christmas glories in God.
  2. The reason for their praise is what they had seen and heard.
    1. They heard the word of the angel: Unto you is born a Savior.
    2. They had seen and heard the Word of God by faith.
      1. Faith knows that unto us is born the Savior.
      2. To hear is to hear in humility knowing oneself to be a sinner.
    3. How much more reason do we have to praise and glorify God.
  3. The occasion for their praising and glorifying God is found in their returning.
    1. They might have wanted to stay at the manger.
    2. But they an we have to return.
      1. They were shepherds and their sheep were waiting for them.
      2. Receiving the Word does not free us from our calling in this world, but enables us to do them rightly.