Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God almighty Father.
This is the first verse of a Christian hymn “Gloria in excelsis Deo” (Latin for “Glory to God in the highest”) known also as the Greater Doxology and the Hymn of the Angels, often abbreviated to Gloria in Excelsis or simply Gloria. It is based on the song the angels sang to the shepherds when they announced the birth of Jesus (Luke 2).
The Latin translation is traditionally attributed to Hilary of Poitiers (c. 300–368), who may have learned it while in the East (359–360).
‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’ means ‘Excellent praise which grows bigger and bigger to God’ . It’s about glorifying and magnifying God. Of course we can’t make God bigger – He is Supreme, Omnipotent, Omnipresent. Nothing we can do can change Him. It’s about focussing on Him so that others will want to know more about Him. The angels weren’t out for glory for themselves but were deflecting the glory towards God, which led to the change in the shepherds – that they wanted to find this baby King and worship Him. It’s like being a magnifying glass, which doesn’t change the object looked at, but changes one’s perception, showing the detail and splendour and allowing others greater access.
Omnipotent God,
Make us into magnifying glasses for You this Christmas. May others see You because our focus is on You. May they see Your depths and wonder and be attracted to know more. Lord, we want them to know Your love and be drawn to love You. Amen