Glory to God

Luke 2.8-20, NRSV, alt.
 
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

   “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace among those whom God favors!”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Photo by Kathy Clark

The snow lay on the ground, the stars shone bright,
when Christ our Lord was born on Christmas night.
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum.
Venite adoremus Dominum. Venite adoremus Dominum.

— FWS #2093, Anglo-English Carol     

Gloria en las alturas y en la tierra paz!
Gloria en las alturas y en la tierra paz!
Digamos alumno: Cristo es Navidad!
Digamos alumno: Cristo es Navidad!

— W&S #3057, Trad. Puerto Rican     

Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o’er the plains,
and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excess Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

— UMH #238, Trad. French Carol     

Rev. Jill Colley Robinson