Angels We Have Heard on High - December 11, 2021
Luke 2:13-18 - Suddenly, the angel was joined by a
vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in
highest heaven,
and peace on
earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds
said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has
happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph.
And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds
told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this
child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished..”, Angels
This is an anonymous French carol that dates back at least
to the nineteenth century. When polls of
favorite Christmas carols are taken, this one is almost always at or near the
top of the list. I’m not sure, but I
think it has something to do with the “Gloria In Excelsis Deo” refrain. It is fun to sing. The phrase, of course, is “Glory to God in
the Highest” in Latin. It is a
derivative of an ancient Christian chant that is often called the Greater or
Major Doxology. It is Major over against
the Minor Doxology, which is what many churches sing after the offering is
taken up and raised up to God.
The “We” in the title refers to the shepherds who are
talking about their encounter with the angels that has prompted them to “come
to Bethlehem and see.” The Angels message to them was certainly life-changing
news to the most simple of men that night.
And God still loves to speak to ordinary people through messengers of
all kinds and transform their lives into something extraordinary through his
grace.
As we sing of the angels' great announcement, let's remember
that God still speaks the "good news" today. Are we listening? Are we open to being the ones through which
the good news of Jesus is spoken or experienced? Helping a family in need, sharing the gospel
story with a prisoner, encouraging a friend who's going through tough times -
in these and countless other ways we can announce Jesus' birth to the
"shepherds" of our day.
Through others’ words and actions, we can still hear the
angels’ song. And through our words and actions, others can hear the angels
song in us. So in this Christmas season,
and all through the coming year, let's continue the angel song. Listen and hear. . .hear and listen.
Questions: How has
God spoken to you most recently? How have you responded?
Prayer:
God-of-Angel-Armies, we are listening for your song and your word to us
in this moment. Speak Lord. Amen.
Prayer Focus: Pray
for those who having a hard time sensing the presence of God in their lives.
Song: Josh Groban
& Brian McKnight - Angels We Have Heard on High
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