Angels We Have Heard on High (stanza 1)
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strain.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Whenever I sing Angels We Have Heard on High, it takes me back to caroling with the East St. Olaf Lutheran Church choir in Minnesota. The star-filled sky and moon reflecting off the snow made the evening glow as bright as day. The coldness of the night was warmed by the smiles of those who heard our joyous song. We felt as if we were singing with the angels.
Angels We Have Heard on High was a traditional 18th century French carol, translated into English in 1860 by Bishop James Chadwick. It is based on Luke 2:13-14 which tells of multitudes of angels coming from heaven singing and proclaiming Christ’s birth to the shepherds.
Just think of what it must have been like to see and hear multitudes of angels singing. It must have sounded like the sound was coming from everywhere, and even the mountains were singing. The shepherds realized that an extraordinary and powerful event had occurred, and they hurried to Bethlehem to worship and adore the newborn King.
We know that this little child for whom the angels came down from heaven and sang was Jesus Christ, our Savior. Let us celebrate the birth of our Savior: Let’s sing with the angels – Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Almighty and loving God, we can only imagine the wonder and awe the shepherds felt when they heard the angels singing. Let us join the heavenly choir and proclaim with joy to the world the glory and majesty of the birth of Christ. Glory to God in the Highest. We pray through Jesus Christ in the Spirit. Amen.
Jeanne Nadenicek
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