Luke 2:13-14 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the
highest,
and
on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
The angels appeared to the shepherds to tell them the “good news of great joy” about the Messiah’s birth. I wonder if this passage in Luke influenced the writing of this Christmas carol. It was originally written in French, by an unknown author, and later translated into English in 1862 by James Chadwick. So, this year is the 160th (English translation) anniversary!!!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! was not translated. It is Latin for “Glory to God in the highest.”
Angels We Have Heard on High
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
CHORUS: 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 heavenly song? Chorus
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Chorus
See Him in a manger laid
Jesus Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior's birth. Chorus
How
are (or how will) you and I give glory to God this Christmas season?
We
can publicly and verbally give Him praise and glory in our conversations to
others, just like the angels did!
