Greater Glory

Nº 386

December 23, 2025

He that might have dwelt forever in the glory which He had with the Father, amidst the praises of legions of angels, came down to earth and dwelt as a Man among sinful men. Surely this fact alone is an amazing miracle of condescension, grace, pity, and love. - J.C. Ryle

PREVIEW – This December we are walking through five Christmas related passages – but none from the familiar Gospel accounts. We have looked at Genesis, Exodus, and Ruth. Today we will dip into the words of the Prophet Haggai. And next week we will end with a look at 1 Timothy. Enjoy a look at Christmas from some non-traditional passages.

Solomon’s grand and spacious temple was demolished when the Babylonians conquered Israel and destroyed Jerusalem. Many years later a smaller, less ornate replacement temple was built when about 50,000 Jews returned from exile.

Some of those returning pilgrims had seen the earlier splendid temple. Haggai, a prophet, asked the pointed question, Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? (Haggai 2:3)

Three times in the next few verses Haggai tells the people to be strong. And then makes this stunning prediction: The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house. (Haggai 2:9)

What made this new functional building more glorious than the previous ornate temple? Christmas!

John wrote, We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) As an infant, child, and adult Jesus visited the replacement temple. As the One and Only Son of God, his presence eclipsed the grandeur of Solomon’s magnificent temple.

No matter how modest your life, allow Jesus’ glory to shine in and through you this Christmas.

Merry Christmas,

Dan Bolin