The Gloria in Excelsis by the Angels at Jesus’ Birth
Quick Summary
The Gloria in Excelsis, also known as the angelic hymn at Jesus’ birth, is one of the most well-known songs in the Bible. Sung by the heavenly host in Luke 2:14, this short doxology—“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”—resonates through centuries of worship. It affirms the incarnation of Christ as a moment of divine glory and earthly peace.
Introduction
There are many songs in the Bible, but few arrive with such awe-inspiring force as the song of the angels on the night of Jesus’ birth. The Gloria in Excelsis, Latin for “Glory in the Highest,” is a one-verse eruption of heavenly praise, delivered not in a grand temple but in the open fields, not to emperors or kings but to shepherds keeping watch by night.
Luke 2:14 captures it simply:
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" (Luke 2:14, NRSV)
This single sentence has shaped liturgies, hymns, and theology for generations. But what does it mean? Why is it sung by angels? And why is it addressed to shepherds? This article explores the meaning, context, and lasting impact of this beloved verse.
Verse Context and Breakdown
Luke 2:8–14 – The Setup for the Song
The angels do not arrive out of nowhere. Luke carefully builds the scene. Shepherds are out in the fields near Bethlehem, tending their flocks by night. The darkness is interrupted when the angel of the Lord appears and the glory of the Lord shines around them.
The shepherds are terrified—this is a theophany, a divine encounter. The angel reassures them, saying:
"Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people" (Luke 2:10).
This is the same word used for preaching the gospel—euangelion, good news. The news is that a savior has been born, the Messiah, the Lord. Then, to underscore the message, the angel offers a sign: the baby will be wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
Immediately, the sky is filled with a multitude of the heavenly host—God’s own army of angels—praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
Phrase 1: "Glory to God in the Highest Heaven"
The angels begin not with humanity but with God. The birth of Jesus is an act of divine initiative, divine glory. The phrase “in the highest heaven” connects this birth to the throne room of God, the realm beyond even the skies. God’s glory radiates out from that highest realm and enters the story of the world.
This echoes the Psalms: “The heavens are telling the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). And now the glory is not just being told—it is being sung.
Phrase 2: "And on Earth Peace"
The second half of the song brings the consequence of God's glory into human history. The glory of heaven becomes peace on earth. This is not peace in the political or military sense, but a deeper peace—the Hebrew shalom, meaning wholeness, rightness, reconciliation with God and one another.
This peace is not generic. It comes "among those whom he favors," or more literally, "people of goodwill" or “those on whom his favor rests.” This recalls the covenantal language of the Old Testament, where God’s favor rests upon Israel and, through Israel, the world.
Theological Themes
Incarnation and Revelation
This song is a theological declaration about the incarnation: God has entered the world not in wrath, but in joy. The invisible has become visible. The angels see what had long been hidden—the Word made flesh—and they cannot help but sing.
As theologian Joel Green writes:
“The song of the angels is not just a spontaneous outburst—it is a theological claim about what the birth of Jesus is.” (Green, The Gospel of Luke, p. 135)
Heaven and Earth United
The Gloria in Excelsis is one of the most concise expressions of the Gospel. God is glorified; humanity is blessed. Heaven and earth are not divided but linked. This echoes the prophetic hopes of Isaiah:
“The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5).
Reversal and Revelation to the Lowly
That this announcement comes to shepherds is itself a statement. In the first-century world, shepherds were low-status laborers. Yet they are the first to receive the news. Just as Mary sang in the Magnificat that God lifts up the lowly (Luke 1:52), the angels sing to the least expected. Glory doesn’t go to Caesar—it arrives in a manger.
Liturgical and Musical Legacy
The phrase Gloria in Excelsis Deo became the basis for one of the oldest hymns of the Christian church, often sung during Advent and Christmas:
"Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth."
This hymn is still sung in countless churches across denominations. The song has entered not just theology but culture—chorales by Bach, carols like "Angels We Have Heard on High," and recitations in Christmas pageants around the world.
In every instance, the song holds its original force: glory given, peace promised.
The Song’s Place in the Gospel of Luke
Luke’s Gospel is often described as the most musical of the four. It contains the Magnificat (Mary), the Benedictus (Zechariah), the Gloria (Angels), and the Nunc Dimittis (Simeon). Each song reflects a moment of divine inbreaking.
The Gloria stands out as the only song sung by angels in the Gospel. While Mary, Zechariah, and Simeon speak on behalf of Israel, the angels speak on behalf of heaven. It is a cosmic announcement—joy not just for one people but for “all the people” (Luke 2:10).
Commentaries and Further Reading
Joel B. Green, The Gospel of Luke (NICNT), pp. 130–138
N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone, pp. 22–24
Darrell L. Bock, Luke Vol. 1: 1:1–9:50 (BECNT), pp. 212–215
These works offer deep explorations of Luke’s theology and the cultural background of the angelic announcement.
Meaning for Today
The Gloria in Excelsis reminds us that God's glory does not stay hidden. It breaks into real life. The birth of Christ is not tucked away in the halls of power but revealed in the quiet places. Peace, true peace, begins not in politics but in presence—in the presence of God made known in Christ.
In a world that still longs for peace, the angels' song remains a proclamation and a promise. When we sing Glory to God in the highest, we join a chorus that began on a hillside and echoes still.
FAQ
What does "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" mean?
It is Latin for "Glory to God in the highest," the first line of the angelic hymn in Luke 2:14.
Who heard the Gloria first?
Shepherds outside Bethlehem were the first to hear the angels sing this message.
Why is this song important?
It expresses the incarnation, glorifies God, and declares peace to those God favors. It encapsulates the meaning of Christmas in one line.
Is this verse part of Christian worship today?
Yes. The Gloria is a core part of many liturgical traditions, including the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches.
How is it connected to the larger story of Luke?
It is one of several songs that mark God’s intervention in history—joining Mary’s Magnificat, Zechariah’s Benedictus, and Simeon’s Nunc Dimittis.
