December 17: Angels We Have Heard on High

Third Week of Advent: Joy
December 17: Angels We Have Heard on High (French) - Links & Lyrics Below

Eighteen notes for one word in this song. I remember as a youth when we would sing this Christmas hymn in church. It was a hymn that I liked but it was challenging. Do I have enough breath to sing the word “Gloria” as it is written? A lot of times I had to sneak in an extra breath.

Why did the composer have to accentuate this word with so many notes and go for so long without letting us take a breath? Angels must have really good lungs. We’re singing about a special heavenly glory. Glory to God in the highest. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

In the story of the Transfiguration, Jesus appeared in glorified form. His appearance changed. His clothes became dazzling white. A cloud came and overshadowed Peter, James, and John and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.

To the shepherds living in the fields, the angel of the Lord appeared before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

At weekend mass after the penitential rite the Gloria is sung. It is a bit of Christmas all year round. It begins, “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace to people of good will.” May God’s glory shine brighter as you join the angels in glorifying God this Christmas.

Father Bob Stegman
St. Joseph Catholic - Sturgeon Bay
Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic - Institute


English (and Latin) Lyrics
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 heavenly songs?


French (and Latin) Lyrics
Les anges dans nos campagnes
Ont entonné l'hymne des cieux,
Et l'écho de nos montagnes
Redit ce chant mélodieux

Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Bergers, pour qui cette fête?
Quel est l'objet de tous ces chants?
Quel vainqueur, quelle conquête
Mérite ces cris triomphants?

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