Day Seven: Angels We Have Heard on High

The beloved Christmas hymn “Angels We Have Heard On High” beautifully captures the heavenly glory and celebration of Christ’s birth. Originally a traditional French carol, “Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes,” this hymn first appeared in print in 1855, though its exact origins are uncertain.

The song opens proclaiming the wondrous news heard from the angelic host:

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

This reflects the Gospel of Luke’s account of the nativity, where an angel appears to simple shepherds announcing the birth of the savior with the heavenly chorus praising God in response:

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” (Luke 2:13-14 KJV)

The hymn then calls us to come adore Christ our King:

“Come to Bethlehem and see,
Christ whose birth the angels sing.”

The reference to Bethlehem fulfilling prophecy comes from the Gospel of Matthew: 

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2 KJV)

We are reminded that though he is the divine King of Kings born in a lowly manger, the highest praise belongs to him: 

“Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King”

As the angels bowed down in Luke’s account, saying, “Glory to God in the highest,” we too ought to worship our King Jesus at Christmas, celebrating his glorious incarnation. The final verse is a doxology of praise:

“Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo”

Which means “Glory to God in the highest.” What wondrous love is this that Christ our King would humble himself, leaving heaven’s throne to be born a babe in manager, all to save us from our sin! This Christmas, may we join the angels in proclaiming the glory of God and worshiping our newborn King, Jesus Christ the Lord.