“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’” (Luke 2:13-14)
The fourth Sunday of Advent is upon us. So far in our church, we have considered the wonder of the Infinite in an infant (Advent 1), the King in a crib (Advent 2) and the Creator in a census (Advent 3). And now we have the Song of the Saviour: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’ This so-called ‘Hymn of the Angels’ has become central to the traditional Latin Mass and a familiar part of Christian Christmas vocabulary. Even non-classical scholars recognise at least the first four words of the Latin: Glória in excélsis Deo et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis. And likely many of us will sing this opening of the hymn of the angels as a Christmas carol at some point this Advent and Christmas.
Long before the Magi arrived with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for Jesus the angels sang of God’s gifts for humankind, given in the Saviour: glory, peace and goodwill. May your Christmas be filled with the Song of the Saviour and His wonderful gifts.