Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Angels we have heard on high
Singing sweetly through the night
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their brave delight

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

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King

Angels we have heard
Angels we have heard on high
Angels we have heard on high
In excelsis Deo

Author unknown ~ additional phrasing written by Kevin Olusola, Scott Hoying
Performed by Pentatonix

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And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Luke 2:13-14 NASB

This is one of my favorite Christmas carols and this version by Pentatonix is amazing. I love the pure joy I see in their faces on the video.  But I realized as I listened that I wasn’t sure what “Gloria, in excelsis Deo” meant. A quick check of Wikipedia provided this answer:

“Gloria in excelsis Deo” (Latin for “Glory to God in the highest”). The hymn begins with the words that the angels sang when the birth of Christ was announced to shepherds in Luke 2:14. Other verses were added very early, forming a doxology.”

A ‘doxology’ in the Greek literally translates as –doxa– “glory” and –logia– “saying”… I like that— “glory saying.”   The angels were giving glory to God for the birth of this child, shouting:

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord;
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Luke 19:38 NASB

The fullness of Heaven is found in the humility of a manger.  The glory of angels compared to the humility of a stable.  Such a contrast!

“God loves to put His glory in unlikely packages so His glory is more clearly displayed.”
– David Guzik

It should be no surprise then that the first to hear the good news of this miraculous birth would be lowly shepherds abiding in the field at night.  They may have been the only ones awake but God planned it that way.  Christ came for all people, regardless of social status or position.

• And He died for all – 2 Corinthians 5:15a AMP
• Who gave Himself as a ransom for all – 1 Timothy 2:6a AMP
• But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace He might taste death for everyone – Hebrews 2:9a HCSB

That’s probably the best reason for “glory saying” that I can think of!   Psalm 66:2 (HCSB) says we are to “Sing about the glory of His name; make His praise glorious.” And Romans 15:6 (NLT) urges “all of you…join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

That’s what I want my Christmas to be filled with this year – “glory saying.” How about you?

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Dear Lord,
Please let my mouth be full of praise and honor to You all day long so that I praise You with all my heart, and honor Your name forever, giving all glory to God in the highest. In Christ’s name I ask this—Amen, so be it!