Angels We Have Heard On High

Hymn lyrics and .mp3 Download

Listen to:
  Angels We Have Heard On High Piano Version (.mp3)
  Angels We Have Heard On High Organ Version (.mp3)

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1. Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plain And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strain
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be? Which inspire your heavenly songs?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

3. Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Words by: Traditional French carol
Music by: Edward Shippen Barnes
Video so you can sing along to Angels We Have Heard On High

Devotional for the hymn "Angels We Have Heard On High"

"Gloria in Excelsis Deo" – Glory to God in the Highest!

Scripture:
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”
Luke 2:13–14 (NIV)

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The hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High” echoes across generations as a song of awe, a chorus of praise first sung not by mortals, but by heaven itself. Picture it: a quiet night in the fields, shepherds tending to their flocks, and suddenly, the sky is ablaze with light and sound—angels filling the heavens, proclaiming the birth of the Savior with one resounding message: "Gloria in excelsis Deo"—Glory to God in the highest.
This carol invites us to respond to that proclamation. It’s not just a recounting of a story—it’s a call to join the song. The angels worshiped. The shepherds went to find the Christ. And now, we are invited to do the same.

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1. Worship Is the Right Response The angels weren’t silent in the presence of God’s work—they burst forth in praise. When we encounter Jesus, whether for the first time or the thousandth, worship is the natural response. It’s not about having the perfect voice, but about having a heart that recognizes the greatness of God and expresses it freely.
2. Good News Is Meant to Be Shared The shepherds didn’t keep the news to themselves. After seeing the Christ child, they told everyone what they had heard and seen. The song of the angels became the testimony of the shepherds, and that testimony ripples through time, reaching us. Are we adding our voice to the chorus?
3. Peace Has Come to Earth This hymn and the scripture it reflects remind us that Christ's birth brings peace—not necessarily peace in all circumstances, but peace in our souls. Peace with God. A Savior has come. That is the message the angels delivered, and it’s still the message we need today.

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Reflection:

• How can I respond in worship to Jesus today?
• Am I making space in my heart to be filled with wonder again?
• Who might need to hear the message of “peace on earth” from me?

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Prayer:
Lord, like the angels, let my soul overflow with praise for You. Let “Gloria in excelsis Deo” be more than words on my lips—let it be the cry of my heart. Thank You for the gift of Your Son, for peace that passes understanding, and for joy that cannot be silenced. Help me to worship You freely, share You boldly, and live in the light of Your glory. Amen.