“I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple.
Seraphim were standing above Him; each one had six wings:
with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth.”
How Did I Forget That’s Who He Is?
How did I forget the untamed glory of the King who consciously walked away from all of it and wrapped Himself in the anonymity of humanity?
I’m so used to picturing the dirty, overcrowded stable and the manure-trodden hay, that I had forgotten all the otherworldly glory wrapped up in those swaddling clothes. Jesus has become too familiar to me. So before I meet Him at the manger, I need to go back and meet Him again as He appears in the heavens.
Over His cries and tiny baby burps, I need to hear the angels singing.
I need to hear the roar of a million angels with their wings beating a wild wind of worship all around us; I need to look up, up high above me.
The Lord God of the galaxies, the infinities, who spoke the sun’s ball of fire into being, who wraps the world in the cool of night and gives us the streaming gift of the Milky Way, of stars uncountable, of planets unknowable. Who knows by name every one of the leviathan creatures we can only try to imagine that plum the depths of the ocean. Each one of them tuned to the will, the creativity, the imagination of its maker.
There are choirs we can’t hear.
There are indescribable beings that fill their lungs with worship 24 hours a day. There is glory we can’t fathom.
Oh, dear Jesus, thank you for walking away from all that for me.
Forgive me my inability to see, to truly know what it took for You to come and meet me here. In my neighborhood.
Thank You for quieting Your glory so that I wouldn’t be afraid.
Thank You for the ridiculous accessibility You grant us.
But help me not to forget. Not to forget Your royalty. Your divinity. So much so that even a tired mom can be moved to tears at her dining room table and fling her arms high in the air above her and sing off-key, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God almighty.”
Let me sing with the heavenly chorus I can’t hear.
Take my small offering and know I give it to You with all the awe my impossibly limited humanity can offer. But I give it regardless. My gold, frankincense, and myrrh of worship — so utterly inadequate for a cosmic king of the galaxies, the heavens and the earth – the past, the present, and the future.
But I will remember to bring it. My reverence. My wonder. My awe. My eyes tilted back to try and take in the vast expanse of the skies above me to give me an inkling of Your vastness.
Dear Holy Creator of Everything, I stand here with my arms spread wide and I bear witness to Your glory that fills the whole earth. Filling my house and my kitchen and yes, this moment at a laptop typing as fast as I can, the wonder I feel running down my cheeks.
Amen.
PS: This is the song I had on repeat while I was writing — listen and stop and remember God’s wild glory.
Q: When was the last time you let yourself pause and try to take in the glory of the God that came to us wrapped up in the anonymity of humanity? How does it make you feel?
Leave a Comment
Stephanie says
Needed this today! My anxiety has been at a high last night and this morning. This has brought me peace. Love the song! Thank you Lisa and God bless you ❤
cammie says
Mine too!!! Praying for you and so encouraged by this post that speaks directly toy heart.
cammie says
*to my heart
Stephanie says
Awe thank you so much cammie! That means a lot to me. Praying for you too. May you be filled with Jesus peace today and always! God bless and Merry Christmas! ❤
Tami says
Oh Bless you for sharing this beautiful private moment …You are a faithful Servant
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Lisa-Jo,
This weekend I’ve been at the Cove – Billy Grahams retreat in the NC mountains. Two nights ago we had a worship session of singing led by Travis Cottrell, who has a dynamic voice. As we all sang, I pictured what it would be like one day when we will all stand together praising and singing unto God most High!! With arms raised, I was enthralled with His majesty. Yes, He left all that for you and for me…wow!! Dynamic post…
Advent Blessings,
Bev xx
Beth Williams says
Lisa-Jo,
This world in its frantic pace & noise makes it hard to be still and think on the true Glory of God. Lately it seems the devil is working overtime to keep us and our minds busy with worries & activities so as to distract us from true righteous thoughts. Many people here in America have never heard the real story of Christmas & Christ. People these days don’t want to hear the real story of Jesus and His saving grace. They want prosperity gospel preached. Do good and God will abundantly bless you. I feel it is high time to get our priorities straight and pause to reflect on the real Glory that Jesus left for us. Also on His Virgin birth, in a dirty stable, and his excruciating death on a cross!
Have a blessed Christmas!
Priscilla Randle says
Amen! A wonderful reminder to take a moment and really remember who our Savior is!
Janie says
Beautiful words from your heart. Thank you for sharing His awesome love.
Mary Hood says
Thank you for reminding me again. This all belongs to Him.
MIchele Morin says
Awe may be the very best response to Christmas that I’ve been encouraged toward throughout this entire season.
Elaine Tomasello says
This is wonderful. I absolutely love the song! Thank you! God bless you!!
Mary says
I love this song. Christ is our Lord and King. As I go this first Christmas without my beloved husband, help me remember this.
Nicole says
Powerful. Thank you.
Rebecca L Jones says
This is fantastic Lisa Jo, I too, have seen Him in His glory, He is high and lifted up after coming as a baby and a horrible death,
from swaddling clothes, to grave clothes and a stone manger to a tomb, He was born to die, and He deserves the praise.
Cindy says
Thank you Lisa-Jo, for this gift of prayer and worship. So needed it today…..
Laura Thomas says
Oh yes! So beautifully expressed… a poignant reminder of His glory. How can we begin to wrap our heads around it all? Amazing love. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Penny says
Lisa Jo,
Thank you for so beautifully reminding us of the coming of the almighty Lord, for us. It’s truly breathtaking…….
Blessings, I hope that you have a Merry, Peaceful, Christmas
Penny
Theresa says
It is amazing to think about all that he gave up to come to earth and live among us. All the limitations he took on, like time and gravity and being cold, when he came here. Thanks for the reminder.
Annetta says
Love your writing and reminder.
Love the song that you were listening to.
Love that you are sharing all of these.
Thank you sis.
Joyous blessings indeed.
Jessica says
That was just beautiful! My choir sang this song(Oh what a Glorious Night) just a week ago at our Christmas music celebration! It was so powerful.
Blessings for you to experience the Joy and Awe of this season,
Jessica Joy
Corene says
I love this devotion! It was amazing and timely for me as most emphasis are on celebrating the birth of Jesus during this Christmas season. Thank you for reminding me of who Jesus was before He came to this earth! The King of Kings and Lord of Lords!! Holy, Holy, Holy my Lord God Almighty! Hallelujah!
I surely will share this devotion for our family worship!!
Blessing, peace and joy this season to you and your family!!!
Robin Chapman says
Stuck in my head are words to that Addison Road song…
…I think I’ve made you to small
I never fear you at all…
What do I know of Holy?
I need this reminder hourly, it seems.
Michelle Coon says
My grandchildren are singing this song on Christmas Eve for the Christmas program. Love this song and I love your message. Jesus is our savior Alleluia!
Julie Broadbridge says
Thank you for your truth and encouragement to just pause, God came down from heaven to earth and was born in a manager to reconcile man with God. The song has filled my heart with blessings and joy. I am not in the hectic, business of Christmas this year as each day I am having radiotherapy to beat cancer. This year I don’t want presents but the presence of my Lord and Saviour, Family and Friends and God’s Peace. May Your Family and You be filled with all God’s Blessings, Love, Joy and Peace.