Shepherds – Singing with the Spirit

In 1855 the French carol, Les Anges dan Nos Campagnes, was first published. The tune, which tells of the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth, was later translated and published into English. This refrain of the classic song takes the text from Luke 2:14 and provides the message the shepherds heard more than 2000 years ago; “Glory to God in the highest…” Singing in Latin, we hear the angel’s song translated, “Gloria, in excelsis Deo!”

Each of the four verses build upon the shepherds experience and what they might have said following the angelic appearance. “We have heard angels on high sweetly singing across the plain…” Perhaps as they ‘went back glorifying and praising God…’ they were asked “Shepherds, why are you so excited (jubilant)? What good news (glad tidings) do you have?” Perhaps they would have responded (and we sing), ‘Come to Bethlehem and see…’

But perhaps the most interesting part of this carol is to WHOM the angels first appeared. Not the priest in Jerusalem, nor the scribes and scholars. They didn’t even appear before the high ranking Jew’s leaders, the ones who were studied and anticipating the Messiah. Instead, the angels appeared to the lowly shepherds. Some have even concluded that perhaps these men tending their flocks were the same men who annually supplied lambs for the Passover sacrifices. Just think, they left the lambs for God to meet the Lamb of God.

If we can better understand some of these songs of the season I believe we’ll be better equipped to not only sing them, but appreciate them. Our “Christmas Song of the Day”…
.Angels We Have Heard on High.

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains

And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains

CHORUS:

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see Him Whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

See Him in a manger laid Jesus Lord of heaven and earth;

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise.

Each of us enjoy hobbies that help to pass the time. Some sew, some read and some would rather ‘play.’ Some like to walk and talk while others like to sing. But for some, writing is their favorite. Self publishers and bloggers are evidence of the fact. But this isn’t a new found favorite. In 1847, the mayor of Roquemaure, France enjoyed writing poetry, and from his pen he wrote a gentle song inspired by the gospel of John in the 3rd chapter. His poem, O Holy Night has come to be recognized as a song of inspiration and love during the Christmas season. Why…
“for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son!”

The song captures the essence of ‘the night’ as we read Luke 2:8, ‘In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.’ Reading the message that was sung by the angels we envision Placide Clappeau, our author, calling the listener to “Fall on your knees, and to (O) hear the angel voices!” The scripture never alludes to the shepherds taking this humble position (bowing their knees), but knowing they “…came in a hurry…’ to see the new baby and ‘went back glorifying and praising God…” would make it safe to conclude they might have surely fallen to their knees.

December is almost half gone, but we continue to look at the rich meaning surrounding these favorite songs of the season. This “Christmas Song of the Day”…O Holy Night.

Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine Oh night divine Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger (NOTE: Matthew 2, “…coming into the house they saw the Child…”)
In all our trials born to be our friend (and.. Luke 19, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”)

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name