December 25 | Doxology
“…so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow…and every tongue confess…” - Philippians 2:10-11
The book of Philippians chapter 2 in verses 6-11 captures in a nutshell the earthly life of Jesus. From his pre-existent and eternal state as God for being God’s Son (v.6), to his taking on humanity at Christmas (v.7), to his short but eventful ministry on earth as humanity’s servant leading to His death (v.8) and then to His exaltation in resurrection (v.9) and finally, in his magnification by those who acknowledge Him as Lord (vv.10-11).
All these amazing and redemptive works of our Savior culminated in the mandate that every knee should bow and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to glory of God the Father! God is expecting that we who are recipients and beneficiaries of His Son’s redemption must offer our praise as well as adoration to Him. In short, we ought to magnify the Lord!
The English word, “magnify” which means, to “glorify” or “honor,” is from the Greek word, “doksazo.” “Doksa” means, “glory.” Interestingly, the word “doxology” is taken from the Latin word, “doxologia” (“doxa” meaning “glory” and “logia” meaning “to speak”). Thus, a doxology is a spoken praise and adoration. In church traditions, a doxology is known as a short song of praise rendered unto God.
As God’s people, we are called to be the very “doxology” for God. We are meant to embody the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). This is magnifying God really meant. It is displaying and demonstrating the reality of God in our humanity. It is showing the beauty of God within us despite our nagging frailties and folly even now that we are children of God. Magnifying God then, is living like, for and with Jesus at all times, at all costs.
All these amazing and redemptive works of our Savior culminated in the mandate that every knee should bow and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to glory of God the Father! God is expecting that we who are recipients and beneficiaries of His Son’s redemption must offer our praise as well as adoration to Him. In short, we ought to magnify the Lord!
The English word, “magnify” which means, to “glorify” or “honor,” is from the Greek word, “doksazo.” “Doksa” means, “glory.” Interestingly, the word “doxology” is taken from the Latin word, “doxologia” (“doxa” meaning “glory” and “logia” meaning “to speak”). Thus, a doxology is a spoken praise and adoration. In church traditions, a doxology is known as a short song of praise rendered unto God.
As God’s people, we are called to be the very “doxology” for God. We are meant to embody the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). This is magnifying God really meant. It is displaying and demonstrating the reality of God in our humanity. It is showing the beauty of God within us despite our nagging frailties and folly even now that we are children of God. Magnifying God then, is living like, for and with Jesus at all times, at all costs.
