“Come, and behold Him born the King of angels” (author unknown).

When the angels gathered around the shepherds that first Christmas and said, “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14 NKJV), they were praising from a place of knowing! They knew Him as their King. They knew Him as God Almighty.

They sang “Gloria in excelsis Deo” because they knew Him! They had seen Jesus sitting on His throne in all of His majesty. They had worshipped at His throne that has the rainbow around it (Revelation 4:3). They had seen that “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes like a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:14). They had heard “his voice as the sound of many waters” (Revelation 1:13). They knew him!

I also know Him.

I have yet to see Him sitting in all of His majesty on His magnificent throne, but I know Him as the One who saved me. I know Him as the God who has healed me. I know Him as the God who has protected me. I know Him as the God who has given me peace, who has revealed Himself to me, who has provided for me, who has rescued me, who has delivered me. I know Him!

Jesus is indeed the King of angels, but He is also my King. I hope I never sing that song casually again, that it will no longer be just a beautiful song to me. When I sing, “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” I will be singing as one of the redeemed, as one who knows a small part of His infinite power to heal; as one who knows a small part of the all-sufficient power of God to rescue, to deliver, to promise and fulfill!

I know God, and I will praise Him as One who does!

Gloria in excelsis Deo!