Announcing the Advent: Gloria in Excelsis

Background

The Gloria in Excelsis is the song of the angels to the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem. For centuries, it has been used as the canticle that follows the Introit and Kyrie in the Divine Service liturgies. It serves the same place in the Mass of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Announcement

Read Luke 2:1-16.

¹In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

⁸And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

¹⁵When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

The first seven verses give us a simple account of one of the most glorious events ever to take place on earth. It is also the fulfillment of the words spoken by the angel Gabriel to Mary.

1. The appearance of a heavenly messenger must have been a frightening experience for the shepherds. It certainly was for Zechariah (1:11-12) and Mary (1:26-30). Yet what was different about the angel’s appearance to the shepherds that made them terrified? Why would such an appearance terrify anyone?

Have you ever wondered what kind of people the shepherds were? Why did they get to see and hear the announcement? Few commentators are ready to say much about them. Some suggest they were keeping flocks destined to be sacrifices at the Temple. Some suggest that they were with flocks because this was the time lambs were born. Others make a point of the fact that they were simple, laboring men and thus, in representing mankind, they would show that God’s good news is for all. None dare say that the good news is not for him or her as well.

• Who is to receive the joy of this good news (verses 10-11)?

• The angel’s message contains two signs the shepherds could use to see the truth of the angel’s message.
  • The first is the fulfillment of a prophecy found in Micah 5:2. What was that prophecy?

²But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

• The second way to verify the message is noted in verse 12. What would be unusual about this?

The Reaction

Going back to the previous lessons, what are the differences in reaction?

Zechariah (1:12) –

Mary (1:29) –

Shepherds (2:9) –

The Response

1. Although we might say the shepherds were the first to respond to the message of the angel, if we read the text carefully we see another that came first.
   1. Who made the first response (verses 13-14)?

• Read Isaiah 6:1-4 and Revelation 5:11-13. Who will someday be a part of that host praising God with the angels?

¹In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ²Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. ³And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” ⁴And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

¹¹Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, ¹²saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” ¹³And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

• The angels’ response is important to us as well. Read Hebrews 1:1-3. God has now reached the climax of His self-revelation. The angels cannot contain their hymns of praise and exultation.

¹Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. ³He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

1. The result of this revelation is that there is peace on earth. The prophets spoke of peace as a mark of the age of the Messiah. What do they have to say in these verses?
   1. Psalm 29:11

1. Isaiah 26:3

1. Isaiah 53:5

• How does Jesus speak of peace?
  • John 14:27

1. John 16:33

1. John 20:19

• How does Paul speak of peace?
  • Colossians 3:15

1. Galatians 5:22

• How would you summarize the peace the angels are proclaiming?

• The world seeks after peace in all the wrong places. How can true peace only be found in Jesus?

Now look at the second response in these verses. The shepherds apparently didn’t need much time for the message of the angels and the angelic hymn of praise they heard sink in. There seems to be no questioning the message. They were ready to go and see what they had been told. When God gives you such opportunities, receive them as God’s invitation. The shepherds are good examples for us in the season of Advent to seek again, through Word and Sacrament, the One who has been announced to us as Christ the Lord.

My Response

1. Announcing the advent to the shepherds meant good news, for the Savior was born. Often in this world of sin good news is hard to come by. The really good news is that because of the birth of a Savior, we don’t have to speak of it as a world of sin. You and I can speak of it as a world of forgiveness. How can you show this in your life?
   1. As one who is forgiven?

• As one who forgives?

• Announcing the advent meant there would be “on earth peace.” So often the peace the world seeks is only the cessation of some military conflict. Often peace in our personal life means avoiding words with someone who has offended us. How can you appreciate the peace that comes through knowing God has sent a Savior?

• Announcing the advent meant hurrying off to take advantage of the opportunity to see the great thing that had just come into the world. During this season you have that opportunity in worship, both by listening to the Word and partaking of the Sacrament. Have you been ready to hurry off to worship these days, or has all the hurrying been to prepare food, send out cards, attend parties, buy gifts, and perform other duties we have attached to the season? If so, how can you change this Advent season so you can truly enjoy God’s gift of His Son?