One of our most beautiful Christmas carols is, indeed, one of our most ancient, for it came directly from the angels!
“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, good will toward men.’” Luke 2:13,14.
Shortly after Jesus was born, this angel appears to announce the birth of the Savior, and is soon joined by a “host”, or many other angels, who join in the rejoicing of the coming of Jesus Christ.
One account tells us that as early as A.D. 129, the “Angel’s Hymn” was being sung. Its most common English version was translated in 1862 by James Chadwick and contains the famous line taken directly from the angels, “Glory to God in the highest…” and sung in Latin, “Gloria, in excelsis Deo”.
In medieval times, French shepherds had a tradition of shouting to each other on Christmas Eve across the hilltops, “Gloria, in excelsis Deo!” as they watched over their flocks in the southern hills of France!
When Jesus came into the world it was the most humble of births, He wanted it that way. Born to a virgin, a miracle to be sure, He could have come in royalty but instead was born in a stable, some would say it wasn’t “fit” for a newborn’s entrance into the world.
Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be,
Which inspire your heav’nly song?
The shepherds came in a hurry to see what all the excitement was about. Something very important had taken place, even though so very few knew about it. A humble birth, humble beginnings, but oh, so glorious!
His birth radiated His Glory! Even though He arrived in a stable, amidst the straw, the animals, the smell, the chaos…He still brought Glory!
And He brings it even today…to our messes, to our chaos. He comes in the middle of our broken lives and humbly invites Himself in. He never forces His way, but with arms outstretched He offers the hurt, the lost, and all of the weary wounded a place to find rest and salvation. He gives life, hope and peace in a troubled world.
Exactly what He came to Earth for so many years ago.
Come to Bethlehem and see,
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
He still waits…won’t you come?
Nannette…I do love this hymn and the celebration it shares about the coming and blessing of Jesus. So thankful God gave us songs that remind us of the gift he so freely gave to us in His Son. Thank you for sharing at WJIM’s Monday’s Musings. Blessed to have you. Enjoy your week.
I love this song! There are so many beautiful Christmas carols to remind us of our dear Savior’s birth and the wonder that He came for us.
I’m so grateful that He brings His glory to shine on us. And I’m grateful He came and comes to our messes and broken world. Where would we be without Him, Nannette? Thanks for shining His light around here!
How inspiring! I really love the idea of joining in the heavenly chorus, celebrating the birth of our precious Savior!
The closest I feel that I am singing with the angels is whenever I hear the “Hallelujah Chorus” – can you imagine what our voices are going to sound like in heaven?!
GOD BLESS!
Dear Nannette
Once we have come to Jesus and humbly accepted His wonderful Gift of Himself, I don’t think we would ever want to stop bringing praises to our glorious King. Oh, that He would humble us to always be as humble like Him. It brings me joy to know that our Lord didn’t consider a stable to be unworthy when He was born, for otherwise I don’t think He would have looked at my heart as a place where He would like to be!
Blessings XX
Mia
This is one of my very favorites, too! Christmas Songs like this teach us and our children so much. Gloria, in excelsis Deo!