13Suddenly 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.” (Luke 2:13-14; NIV)

Yesterday in my daily devotion, the above verses were part of the scripture passage for the day. It was about when the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds to tell them of the birth of the Christ child. He had told them where to find the baby Jesus and how they would recognize Him when the heavenly host appeared with the angel “praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'”

I was reading the study notes on this passage, particularly verse 14, and discovered the phrase “Glory to God in the highest” is of Latin and Greek origin. It has been translated from “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.” Do you recognize this? Sing with me. “Glor-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-or-ia, in excelsis Deo.” Or, if you want to start at the beginning…

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.

Refrain

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?

Refrain

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Refrain

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

Refrain
(credit for lyrics goes to dltk-holidays.com)

I think at some point I knew where the words came from and the meaning of them. However, if that was the case, I had forgotten, so this was a pleasant surprise to me. I always love discovering little treasures like this. I think it is one of the ways God reaches out and touches us and reminds us that He is involved in everything.

The next time I’m trying to make my way through the long “Gloria” without taking a breath :-), I will know as I finish the phrase that I am actually singing as the angels did, “Glory to God in the highest.” Can I get an Amen?

Christmas Blessings,