Hymns and songs are time-honored vehicles of praise. They also can be notable vehicles of theology. Such is the case with the songs associated with the coming of Christ into the world. In the Dec. 4 issue Mary’s song gave voice to a number of attributes and acts of God. In the Dec. 11 issue Zacharias’ song spoke of salvation and forgiveness as well as divine mercy and spiritual light for the world’s darkness. Turning to the angels’ song in Luke 2:14, we continue thinking about songs associated with Christ’s birth.
At Jesus’ birth an angelic choir also visited a band of shepherds on a Judean hillside and serenaded them with praise. Since 1862 when James Chadwick translated it into English from French, the English-speaking world has been able to enjoy the traditional Christmas carol, “Angels We Have Heard On High.” The song’s refrain has introduced generations to the Latin expression with which the angels’ song begins, “Glory in Excelsis” or “Glory in the Highest.” This is the shortest of the songs, being only a single verse.
God’s glory
The angels’ song was in two parts. One part had to do with heaven, the other with earth. The heavenly part centered on glory, the earthly part centered on peace. We look first at the “glory” portion of the song. Glory is one of those grand words in the Bible. Let’s discern two basic meanings of the word. Glory often refers to an attribute of God. To speak of God’s glory is to speak of His majesty. God is glorious in His person or being. On the other hand sometimes glory is an ascription of praise to God, such as “glory to God in the highest.” This second use fits the angels’ song. We then have to ponder what is meant by the “highest.” Three possibilities come to mind. The idea could be glory in the most excellent or highest place, that is, in heaven. God is praised in His heaven. A second idea could be glory in its most excellent or highest expression. The highest expression of praise would be that from the heavenly hosts. The third possibility is glory to the most excellent or highest object. The highest object of praise is God Himself. It just might be that we should feel no compulsion to choose only one of the three possibilities, since all are true. God’s glory fills the highest place, heaven. His glory knows no more excellent expression than that given by the hosts of heaven. To be sure, God is the highest One to whom creatures above and creatures here below can offer praise.
Announcing peace
Now to the part about peace. The heavenly choir not only voiced praise to God but also announced peace to those on earth. Peace on earth at its best is both relational and experiential. Relationally believers have peace with God. Experientially the peace of God keeps our hearts and minds. We have peace toward God and peace from God.
“Gloria in Excelsis” would be heard a second time toward the end of Jesus’ saving mission. When He arrived in Jerusalem for the suffering of death the people exclaimed, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest (Gloria in Excelsis)” (Luke 19:38). Angels sang it the first time but humans cried it the second time. Jesus was born to establish peace in heaven toward sinners on earth. The Bible calls this reconciliation.
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