Angels We Have Heard On High

Luke 2:14 (ESV)

“Glory to God in the highest,

    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

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

Sweetly, sweetly through the night

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their brief delight

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

When the angel appeared to Mary in Luke 1:30, its first words to her are, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”

Do not be afraid…

An angel is depicted appearing to Joseph in Matthew 19-25, encouraging him to not be afraid to marry Mary.

And when the angels appeared to the shepherds in Luke 2:9, and the “glory of God shone around them and they were terrified”… how did the angel comfort them?

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great for for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)

As we think about “Angels We Have Heard On High,” we would  probably all admit that angels are not a topic we think about very often. The original Greek from which we derive the word “angel” is angelos, which literally also means “messenger.” True to name, angels are depicted throughout Scripture as messengers of God’s decrees, appearing to provide directives and prophecies to frequently ordinary people, like Mary, Joseph, and shepherds, that would alter the course their lives.

And when God calls upon our lives – when we are challenged to take up the cross of Jesus, abandon the pathways of sin, and embark on a new adventure seeking the Kingdom of Heaven – isn’t fear natural?

Although we may like to think that we would respond to such a divine beckoning with open arms, our natural response is always fear.

The angels appeared to change lives forever. Neither Mary, Joseph or the shepherds were ever the same. There is much to fear in the unknown, and that’s exactly where God calls us.

But, like the people recorded in Scripture, we too have to wade through the fear, fight off our natural, sin-dictated inclinations, and join in with the heavenly chorus of worship.

God’s way is different than everything we’ve ever known on this Earth. Bigger, bolder, more daring, more audacious. He uses regular people to accomplish the most extraordinary feats in human history.

Can we join with the angels in worship, abandoning our fears and siding with the King’s master plan?

Dear Lord, It’s not easy to follow You sometimes, particularly when the path that You lead us down is frightening and unknown. We pray that You’ll also strengthen and encourage us to be bold. Thank You for Your reliability and knowing that You lead and guide us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.