E is for eXult
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:13-14
You might have been wondering all along, what is going to be done for X? X is a tough letter to find a word that fits, so I fudged and included a word whose second letter is X, and it is a great word! The dictionary defines exult like this, to show or feel elation or jubilation. It means to feel happiness or joy or delight in something or someone.
Think about it this way: when you are doing something that makes you very glad, like playing a game or singing a song or watching an event, is it more fun to do it alone or with someone else? I think we would all probably agree that the greater joy is found in joy shared with others, because that is the way God has designed us. It is great to watch your team win with a group of friends who are cheering for the same team.
The angels show us how to greatly exult in God. It wasn’t enough to just have one angel come and visit the shepherds, glorifying and praising God, it took a whole lot of angels to exult and praise God. It’s the same way with us, when you think about it.
Part of the reason God created churches and encouraged us to gather together is because we find great joy in exulting God with other believers. That’s why there were a whole bunch of angels gathered together on that night. The angels just had to shout and sing their praise to God together. Let me encourage you to regularly do the same thing. I encourage you to gather together with other believers (especially on Christmas Eve) and exult God together with the same joy the angels had on that starry night.
I Commend Joy! 