Interesting Green: Reflection - Angels We Have Heard on High

Source (book): "Songs of Christimas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 2, "Angels We Have Heard on High", Page 29.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012

PHOTO: How would you tell someone the reason for the joy of Christmas?
Traditionally, the Christmas story turns around four words: Love, Peace, Hope, and Joy. This list is about Christmas Joy. At the end of the day, what people are trying to buy is happiness for their loved ones.

I would use the Believer’s Perspective of Christmas to tell someone the reason for the joy.

Immanuel, God with us, had been born (Isaiah 7:14). The child whose name would be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and who would eventually reign on the throne of David was given (Isaiah 9:6-7). Hope had arrived for the nation of Israel which was currently oppressed by Rome, but more importantly, hope had arrived for mankind that God was implementing His plan that would solve the sin problem and allow sinful men to be made righteous in His eyes.

Christmas is a holiday that focuses on the Saviour of the world. There could be no better reason to celebrate Christmas. We can share the most wonderful gift of Jesus so that others may experience the great joy of salvation.

Take time to meditate on what you would have witnessed if you had been there at Bethlehem.
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 heav'nly song?

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

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

(Source: The United Methodist Hymnal [Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing Home, 1989], #238)

This carol is a favourite among many Christians, partly because of the exuberant refrain which is often sung with happy smiles.

It is based on the account of the Christmas story in Luke's gospel (Luke 2:6-20). Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Mary "wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7 ESV). Mary and Joseph were visiting the town of Bethlehem as part of a census ordered by the Roman emperor.

At this time, shepherds were watching their flocks at night in the fields outside the town. An angel suddenly appeared to them with wonderful news. "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:10-12).

Then, suddenly, a great choir of angels joined the first angel to praise God in song. They sang, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests" (Luke 2:14). We could say that this was the first Christmas carol! And it was sung by angels.

The refrain of the carol, "Gloria, in excelsis Deo", is Latin for "Glory to God in the highest". It forms the backbone of this joyful song.

The first stanza refers to the angels and their joyful song. The image is that of the angelic song echoing around the countryside, heard in the mountains and the valleys. The heavenly strains touch the earthly places, thus including both heaven and earth in a joy that is linked with the birth of the Saviour.

The second stanza speaks to the shepherds. They went in search of the baby, and found Him just as the angel had told them. He was lying in a manger (a feeding trough for farm animals). "The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told" (Luke 2:20). The carol depicts the shepherds singing joyfully, reflecting the joyful music of the angels. They realised that heaven had opened and hope was born. The Messiah had arrived. They were not imagining things, for whatever the angel told them, they had seen with their own eyes. This led to their praise and worship of God in joyful song.

Singing this stanza, it is as if we are asking the shepherds about what happened. We can imagine their answers with the help of Scripture. They would have excitedly told others who asked them. "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them" (Luke 2:17-18). We too are encouraged to hear the testimony of the shepherds and be amazed. How can we fail to be amazed?

The third and fourth stanzas are an invitation for all to come and see this manger scene that the shepherds were privileged to behold. We too can join them in witnessing this great act of God, a deep work of divine love that extends to each of us. We are asked not only to "come to Bethlehem and see" (Stanza 3) - not only to be witness - but also to become worshippers as we express our love and adoration to Jesus, bending our knees before Him.

We are invited to join the angels and shepherds, and Mary and Joseph, in praising God for the birth of Christ our Saviour. The heart must be involved as we sing ("While our hearts in love we raise", Stanza 4) - not only our hearts, but also our hands. As we sing about asking Joseph and Mary to lend a helping hand to the baby, we today must use our hands and lives for the service of Christ, who was born to save us and all those around us.
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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 heav'nly song?

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

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

(Source: The United Methodist Hymnal [Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing Home, 1989], #238)

History of the carol [1]
The original words of this Christmas carol were in French and the author is unknown. In the eighteenth century, it became a traditional French Christmas carol, "Les Anges dans Nos Campagnes". That we sing it today in English is due to the efforts of James Chadwick, a Roman Catholic bishop in England, who translated the hymn from French to English.

PHOTO: James Chadwick, a Roman Catholic bishop in England, who translated the hymn from French to English
Anglo-Irish Roman Catholic priest and second Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle (24 April 1813 - 14 May 1882). He is famous for writing the lyrics of the song "Angels We Have Heard On High".
Picture posted by hymntime.com - James Chadwick (1813–1882)
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James Chadwick was born in Ireland in 1813. Educated at Ushaw College in Durham, England, Chadwick was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1836. He taught at Ushaw College (holding successively the chairs in philosophy, dogmatic theology, and pastoral theology) and subsequently became its president. In 1866, he became the bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, and held that position for 16 years. He wrote many books and was also a hymn writer.

Chadwick loosely translated the French carol "Les Anges dans Nos Campagnes" ("The Angels in Our Countryside") into English and published it in his Holy Family Hymns (1860) and Crown of Jesus (1862). The music for the song as we sing it today was written by the American organist and composer, Edwin Shippen Barnes (1882-1958).

Chadwick's translation was further translated into Scottish Gaelic by Iain MacMilan. This version was re-translated into English by American Joseph Schlegel (died on Christmas Day, 1913), whose version is said to have produced a revival in the Denver area of Colorado.

According to the Catholic Encyclopaedia (1913), James Chadwick, "a man of great personal dignity and charm", is "remembered for his meekness and sweetness of manner". He died in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1882 at the age of 69.

PHOTO: According to the Catholic Encyclopaedia (1913), James Chadwick, "a man of great personal dignity and charm", is "remembered for his meekness and sweetness of manner". He died in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1882 at the age of 69.
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How would you tell someone the reason for the joy of Christmas? Take time to meditate on what you would have witnessed if you had been there at Bethlehem.

How would you tell someone the reason for the joy of Christmas?
Traditionally, the Christmas story turns around four words: Love, Peace, Hope, and Joy. This list is about Christmas Joy. At the end of the day, what people are trying to buy is happiness for their loved ones. [4]

PHOTO: Traditionally, the Christmas story turns around four words: Love, Peace, Hope, and Joy.
Lum and Abner's Traditional Christmas Story
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I would use the Believer’s Perspective of Christmas to tell someone the reason for the joy. [2]

Immanuel, God with us, had been born (Isaiah 7:14). The child whose name would be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and who would eventually reign on the throne of David was given (Isaiah 9:6-7). Hope had arrived for the nation of Israel which was currently oppressed by Rome, but more importantly, hope had arrived for mankind that God was implementing His plan that would solve the sin problem and allow sinful men to be made righteous in His eyes.

PHOTO: Believer’s Perspective of Christmas
The child whose name would be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Hope had arrived for mankind that God was implementing His plan that would solve the sin problem and allow sinful men to be made righteous in His eyes.
Artwork by Noah - A Savior is Born
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Christmas is a holiday that focuses on the Saviour of the world. There could be no better reason to celebrate Christmas. We can share the most wonderful gift of Jesus so that others may experience the great joy of salvation. [3]

Take time to meditate on what you would have witnessed if you had been there at Bethlehem.
Biblical Insights from the Carol [1]
This carol is a favourite among many Christians, partly because of the exuberant refrain which is often sung with happy smiles.

It is based on the account of the Christmas story in Luke's gospel (Luke 2:6-20). Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Mary "wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7 ESV). Mary and Joseph were visiting the town of Bethlehem as part of a census ordered by the Roman emperor.

PHOTO: Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Mary "wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7 ESV).
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At this time, shepherds were watching their flocks at night in the fields outside the town. An angel suddenly appeared to them with wonderful news. "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:10-12).

PHOTO: Shepherds were watching their flocks at night in the fields outside the town when an angel suddenly appeared to them with wonderful news. Then, suddenly, a great choir of angels joined the first angel to praise God in song.
Picture posted by mitchj.info
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http://mitchj.info/suggest/angels-in-the-bible-jesus-christ.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-angels-from-realms-of-glory.html

Then, suddenly, a great choir of angels joined the first angel to praise God in song. They sang, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests" (Luke 2:14). We could say that this was the first Christmas carol! And it was sung by angels.

PHOTO: A great choir of angels joined the first angel to praise God in song. They sang, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests" (Luke 2:14). The first Christmas carol, and it was sung by angels.
Picture saved by Edmary Steiger to Country christmas
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The refrain of the carol, "Gloria, in excelsis Deo", is Latin for "Glory to God in the highest". It forms the backbone of this joyful song.

The first stanza refers to the angels and their joyful song. The image is that of the angelic song echoing around the countryside, heard in the mountains and the valleys. The heavenly strains touch the earthly places, thus including both heaven and earth in a joy that is linked with the birth of the Saviour.

PHOTO: The angels and their joyful song
The image is that of the angelic song echoing around the countryside, heard in the mountains and the valleys. The heavenly strains touch the earthly places, thus including both heaven and earth in a joy that is linked with the birth of the Saviour.
Picture saved by Barb Stankey to ANGELS
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The second stanza speaks to the shepherds. They went in search of the baby, and found Him just as the angel had told them. He was lying in a manger (a feeding trough for farm animals). "The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told" (Luke 2:20). The carol depicts the shepherds singing joyfully, reflecting the joyful music of the angels. They realised that heaven had opened and hope was born. The Messiah had arrived. They were not imagining things, for whatever the angel told them, they had seen with their own eyes. This led to their praise and worship of God in joyful song.

PHOTO: The shepherds went in search of the baby. They realised that heaven had opened and hope was born. The Messiah had arrived. They were not imagining things, for whatever the angel told them, they had seen with their own eyes. This led to their praise and worship of God in joyful song.
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Singing this stanza, it is as if we are asking the shepherds about what happened. We can imagine their answers with the help of Scripture. They would have excitedly told others who asked them. "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them" (Luke 2:17-18). We too are encouraged to hear the testimony of the shepherds and be amazed. How can we fail to be amazed?

PHOTO: If we are asking the shepherds about what happened, they would have excitedly tell amazing testimony about this child. We too are encouraged to hear the testimony of the shepherds and be amazed. How can we fail to be amazed?
Artwork by Dona Gelsinger - Shepherds Keeping Watch
Picture saved from Agnese Vetrano
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The third and fourth stanzas are an invitation for all to come and see this manger scene that the shepherds were privileged to behold. We too can join them in witnessing this great act of God, a deep work of divine love that extends to each of us. We are asked not only to "come to Bethlehem and see" (Stanza 3) - not only to be witness - but also to become worshippers as we express our love and adoration to Jesus, bending our knees before Him.

PHOTO: An invitation for all to come and see this manger scene that the shepherds were privileged to behold. We too can join them in witnessing this great act of God, a deep work of divine love that extends to each of us.
Photo courtesy of MSGE
Picture posted by Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS)
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We are invited to join the angels and shepherds, and Mary and Joseph, in praising God for the birth of Christ our Saviour. The heart must be involved as we sing ("While our hearts in love we raise", Stanza 4) - not only our hearts, but also our hands. As we sing about asking Joseph and Mary to lend a helping hand to the baby, we today must use our hands and lives for the service of Christ, who was born to save us and all those around us.

PHOTO: We are invited to join the angels and shepherds, and Mary and Joseph, in praising God for the birth of Christ our Saviour. As we sing about asking Joseph and Mary to lend a helping hand to the baby, we today must use our hands and lives for the service of Christ, who was born to save us and all those around us.
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PHOTO: “Dear Lord, traditionally we learned that the Christmas story is about Love, Peace, Hope, and Joy. And people focus on trying to buy happiness for their loved ones. But the list about Christmas Joy should include the most wonderful gift of Jesus that allow us to experience the great joy of salvation.

We would like to use the Believer’s Perspective of Christmas to tell someone the reason for the joy. Hope had arrived for mankind through your plan that would solve the sin problem and allow sinful men to be made righteous in your eyes.

Christmas is a holiday that focuses on the Saviour of the world. We would to share the most wonderful gift of Jesus so that others may experience the great joy of salvation too.

If we have been there, at Bethlehem, when Jesus was born, we may have witnessed what the shepherds had witnessed. An angel suddenly appeared with wonderful news about a Saviour being born to us; who is the Messiah, the Lord. And we could find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

We may have witnessed a great choir of angels joining the first angel to praise God, singing, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests’. That was the first Christmas carol, and it was sung by angels.

The angelic song which was echoing around the countryside, heard in the mountains and the valleys. The heavenly strains touch the earthly places, thus including both heaven and earth in a joy that is linked with the birth of the Saviour.

We would have searched for the baby, and found Him just as the angel had told us. He was lying in a manger just as the angel had said. Just like the shepherds, we would be singing joyfully, reflecting the joyful music of the angels. Because heaven had opened and hope was born. The Messiah had arrived. We would have seen with their own eyes. This would led to our praise and worship of God in joyful song.

With the help of Scripture, we too are encouraged to hear the testimony of the shepherds and be amazed. We too can join them in witnessing this great act of God, a deep work of divine love that extends to each of us. We are not only witness but also to become worshippers as we express our love and adoration to Jesus, bending our knees before Him. We are invited to join the angels and shepherds, and Mary and Joseph, in praising God for the birth of Christ our Saviour. Not only with our hearts, but also our hands will be involved.

Please help us to use our hands and lives for the service of Christ, who was born to save us and all those around us.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!“
Picture posted by Fantasy-fairy-angel on 08 February 2012 - Christmas wonder
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TKhBd4Il4ND_SgN2eappetsHFMom3IzefHf-f0Kn70pIkeh8hvcD5zuy0_nfz3iJ-4iHGVX65u9fXKVCxH72g_p5QX6e9vsp4cBS5RmvhVoHBLsyLAVLFopXePvBshjHGYffEDYycpQ/s1600/christmas_wonder_by_fantasy_fairy_angel_d4p1mhi-fullview.jpg
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/f7f0a35b-5fa4-435b-a7ba-64a3b93571c3/d4p1mhi-3d81437e-9735-46f2-81c6-b16214c5ca97.jpg/v1/fill/w_900,h_912,q_75,strp/christmas_wonder_by_fantasy_fairy_angel_d4p1mhi-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9OTEyIiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvZjdmMGEzNWItNWZhNC00MzViLWE3YmEtNjRhM2I5MzU3MWMzXC9kNHAxbWhpLTNkODE0MzdlLTk3MzUtNDZmMi04MWM2LWIxNjIxNGM1Y2E5Ny5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9OTAwIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmltYWdlLm9wZXJhdGlvbnMiXX0.4HRBqoFVhwZGv_0h3hN6mI_6lu4enpb5LGOojTZkbpI
https://www.deviantart.com/fantasy-fairy-angel/art/Christmas-wonder-283930902

Reflection - Angels We Have Heard on High
Question from source (book): "Songs of Christimas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Chapter 2, "Angels We Have Heard on High", Page 29.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012

Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html

"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html

"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html

Reference

[1] From "Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, Copyright © 2017 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-981-11-6752-2, Chapter 2, "Angels We Have Heard on High", Page 23-29.

[2] Pastor Scott L. Harris, Reasons for Rejoicing at Christmas, posted on 21 December 2014, https://gracebibleny.org/reasons-for-rejoicing-at-christmas

[3] Mary Fairchild, The Good News of Christmas, posted on 25 June 2019, https://www.learnreligions.com/the-good-news-of-christmas-700442

[4] All Pro Dad, Family First, LLC, 10 Words to Bring Christmas Joy to Your Family, https://www.allprodad.com/10-words-to-bring-christmas-joy-to-your-family/

New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Isaiah 7:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+7%3A14&version=NIV

Isaiah 9:6-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A6-7&version=NIV

Luke 2:6-20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A6-20&version=NIV

Luke 2:7 ESV - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A7&version=ESV

Luke 2:10-12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A10-12&version=NIV

Luke 2:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A14&version=NIV

Luke 2:17-18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A17-18&version=NIV

Luke 2:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A20&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV