THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE - Chapter 2 - Verse 9

Verse 9. The glory of the Lord. This is the same as a great glory -- that is, a splendid appearance or light. The word glory is often the same as light, 1 Co 15:41; Lu 9:31; Ac 22:11.

The words Lord and God are often used to denote greatness or intensity. Thus, trees of God mean great trees; hills of God, high or lofty hills, &c. So the glory of the Lord here means an exceedingly great or bright luminous appearance -- perhaps not unlike what Paul saw on the way to Damascus.