Angels on High

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."  Luke 2:20 (NIV)

The Advent wreath has been one of my favorite parts of Christmas.  Each Sunday, we light the respective candle associated for that day.  The second Sunday represents faith.   On this Sunday of faith, I thought that it was appropriate to bring to light the carol, "Angels We Have Heard on High".  Where is the link?  I'd like to think that the link between the birth of Christ and faith in God is seen with the shepherds.

A few verses before the one noted above finds the angels telling the shepherds the good news of Jesus' birth.  Shepherds, whose faith in God must have been strong.  Their days and evenings were filled with tending to the sheep, not in nearby towns in local synagogues.  The picture of the angels coming down to the shepherds speaks to the vastness of God bringing Jesus to Earth.  The heavenly hosts came to share the good news.

After hearing the news, their faith brings them to Bethlehem to see Jesus in the manger.   This Christmas hymn picks up the story as they have seen Jesus, and all his glory.  As they leave they sing praises to God on High, praises of what they have seen.  Our lowly shepherds spreading the good news of Jesus!!  Let's see the words:

1. Angels we have heard on high
   Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
   And the mountains in reply
   Echoing their joyous strains.
   • Refrain:
     Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
     Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
   Why your joyous strains prolong?
   What the gladsome tidings be
   Which inspire your heav’nly song?
3. Come to Bethlehem and see
   Him Whose birth the angels sing;
   Come, adore on bended knee,
   Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
4. See Him in a manger laid,
   Whom the choirs of angels praise;
   Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
   While our hearts in love we raise.

I think my favorite part to this song is the refrain.  Yes, whether in the car or at church, I tend to "belt it out", sharing praise to our Lord and King today.  To sing to God, to sing to the angels, and to sing to each other in such a strong and wonderful way helps us to share our faith.  The shepherds showed us how to give praise!  May we also show our faith and praise to Jesus with shouts of joy singing, "Gloria, in excelsis Deo!"

Heavenly Father, may we sing to the angels of our faith in you!  As we prepare during this Advent season, help us to see the joy that the shepherds sang of.  Help us to sing of praise to you, Jesus, as we share our faith in you with others surrounding us.  In your gracious name we pray.  Amen!