How to Behold

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Have you beheld His glory? Sometimes we forget what it means to; most times we forget to. The holidays near year’s end provide countless special moments and positive vibes like no other time: the magic of Christmas trees and light displays, the warmth of fireplaces and strangers’ greetings, the familiar traditions of cookies and decorations. There is something unique about this season, something all of us distinctly feel with both sights and sounds. One of our family customs is to read on Christmas morning the majestic prologue in the Gospel of John (John 1:1-19), where each year he reminds us of the central truth we could so easily miss: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (v. 14). We know that Jesus Christ came. But what is His glory?

The word “glory” is such a common word in the Scriptures yet one we rarely take a moment to think through its meaning. What is most typically known as the Christmas story in Luke (Luke 2:1-20) gives examples of all the potential meanings of the word. We are normally most inclined to think of glory as in the brilliance where “the glory of the Lord shone” (v. 9), or perhaps further we note the dignity surrounding “God in the highest” (v. 14), but the most basic concept of glory is simply something to be “heard and seen” (v. 20). So what do we do when glorify God? What does it mean to magnify the name of Jesus? Do we make it larger in our minds? Do we somehow cause God to become greater? No. We simply come to see and know Him more as He is. We simply increase our understanding, in His strength and by His grace, of the glorious greatness He has always had and will always have. Giving glory to God is not making Him out to be glorious; it is seeing Him as the already glorious One. 

The holiday season gives ripe opportunities to see the glory of God in all things, more than the constant normal. Even in a godless workplace, the radio that normally blares “call a doctor; say a prayer; choose a god you think is fair”[1] now sounds “Christ, by highest heav’n adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord!”[2] May we as vessels of mercy be that much more prepared to declare the glories of our resurrected King! “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Earthly things remind us of heavenly realities. Whether it be reminders of everlasting life in evergreens, the Creator of the starry lights, the comfort of Christ through the church, or the beauty of all creation - all point to the goodness and greatest of our God! May we see His glory and hear His words, setting it forth in our homes and sending it forward among the nations. How have you beheld His glory this year?




[1] Lewry, Fraser. “Shinedown's Attention Attention: A track-by-track guide by Brent Smith" Louder. https://www.loudersound.com/features/shinedowns-attention-attention-a-track-by-track-guide-by-brent-smith.

[2] Getty, Keith. “CHRISTMAS HYMN: Hark the Herald Angels Sing” Baptist Press. http://www.bpnews.net/54014/christmas-hymn-hark-the-herald-angels-sing.

Bruce Dare is a follower of Jesus, husband to Danielle, and father of three children, raising support for SLM to become Director of Publications. Having previously served on a pastoral staff for several years, Bruce intends to couple recent experience in logistics management and warehouse operations with formal education in church ministries and theological studies to serve in support of global discipleship. His most specific areas of interest and involvement are in leadership training, organizational administration, and cross-cultural resources.

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