Reading: Psalm 148:1-6 (NRSV)
Song: Angels We Have Heard on High (lyrics for reflection below)
Reflection
Angels are certainly an important part of the Christmas story. An angel appears to Zechariah to announce that he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son who would prepare the way for the Lord’s coming. The same angel, Gabriel, visits Mary to give her the news that she would be the one to bear the savior of the world. An angel assures Joseph when he receives Mary’s news. The shepherds are visited by angels who herald Christ’s birth and sing the praises of God in the heavens.
For today’s “Wordless Wednesday” reflection we sit with a carol inspired by this visit to the shepherds, “Angels We Have Heard on High.” It is a song of pure worship: it references the worship of the angelic chorus, but it also provides us a chance to join with them in their “heavenly song.” It’s a carol of invitation: come to Bethlehem for yourself, come see the wondrous miracle of which the angels sing. And let your hearts respond in praise.
This is a good day, halfway through our Advent journey, to spend some time simply sitting in a worshipful spirit before God. The Christmas story is all about his gift of salvation, rooted in his deep and abiding love for us.
So in that worshipful spirit, we offer an instrumental version of a carol with an invitation to read the words prayerfully in a style similar to “lectio divina.” Here is a suggested approach for these Wednesday reflections:
Close your eyes and listen to the instrumental once on its own. Breathe deep and open yourself to the idea of “waiting quietly” for God.
Read through the lyrics slowly and prayerfully, more than once. Look for words, images, or phrases that catch your attention and stir your soul.
Listen to the instrumental again while praying with the word or phrase that has caught your attention. What about it has grabbed you? What does the resonance you feel with it reveal about the longings of your heart and soul? Offer these reflections to God in still, quiet surrender.
May God use these times in blessed escape from from the cacophony that often surrounds us this time of year.
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains,
and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.
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?
Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing.
Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gloria in excelsis Deo!