Advent Day 12: Gloria

One of the things I love about the carols that we sing during Christmas time is the old words that they use. If you're like me though, you might be left wondering what in the world these words actually mean after singing these songs in Church or while listening to them on the radio. These words have depth and are able to convey a complex meaning in a short amount of letters. An example of this is the chorus of the song Angels We Have Heard on High: Gloria in excelsis Deo. Simply put this Latin phrase means "Glory to God in the highest."

This simple line is fitting in a hymn that echos the deceleration of the angles in Luke 2:10-14 "And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' 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!'" When angels appear in scripture, they cannot help but declare the glory of the God whom they gladly serve. In Isaiah's vision of the throne room of the Lord, the angels never cease to testify day and night to the magnificence of the God. "And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'" (Isaiah 6:3) John's much later revelation describes more beings in the throne room but their proclamation is the same. "And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!' And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 'Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created'" (Revelation 4:8-11).

From all of these glorifying statements, we can see two main reoccurring points. First, that God is and should be glorified over all else. The qualities, character, actions and heart of God are just some of the reasons he is worthy of these never ceasing words of praise. That in and of itself is subject that I could fill this blog with daily and never come to an end of. Second, that creation receives hope and assurance through this supernatural interaction and exultation of God in whom both man and angels live and move and have their being. In Luke's gospel the angels speak a message of peace over mankind, all of whom are in desperate need of such a word. In Isaiah's vision, the seraphim proclaim that the whole earth is filled with the glory of God. This is seen in the everyday miracles of the innumerable ways God uses to reveal himself to his creation through his creation and his holy word. The creatures in John's revelation affirm that everything created owes its existence to the Creator who willed all things into being. 

So as you sing this carol this Christmas, think about this being your song of praise in response to the message of hope and peace that the angels delivered to all the Earth. Let our hearts be glad! 

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains 

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo 

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King 

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo 

See him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise 

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo