阅读经文 

在整个耶稣降生的叙述中，天使扮演着重要的角色。一位天使拜访撒迦利亚，宣布约翰的到来，他将为耶稣的事工预备道路。（参路 1:11-20）一位天使向马利亚显现，宣告神的儿子耶稣的到来。（参路 1:28-38）天使在梦中向约瑟显现，敦促他娶马利亚为妻，因为她怀胎所生的婴孩耶稣，会“将自己的百姓从罪恶里救出来”。（参太 1:20-21）

后来，当耶稣真的出生，天使宣告祂的降生时，一群天使出现，照亮了伯利恒附近野地的夜空。“忽然有一大队天兵，同那天使赞美神说……”这不是简单的宣告出生——救世主来了！

“天使在高天歌唱”以一种优美抒情的方式讲述了这个故事。副歌延续天使的歌唱，使用了拉丁语“Gloria in excelsis Deo”，意思是“在至高之处荣耀归于神”。天使们无法压抑他们的赞美之情。

当我们藉此圣诞节期，诗歌提醒我们神在耶稣的降生中对我们彰显的大爱。我们和天使一样有放声歌唱的机会。让我们邀请众人加入我们歌唱的行列，把荣耀归给神，因为救主耶稣已经到来！

Angels play an important role throughout the entire birth narrative of Jesus. An angel visits Zechariah to announce the coming of John, who would prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry (Luke 1:11-20). An angel appears to Mary to announce the coming of Jesus, the Son of God (Luke 1:28-38). An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, urging him to stay with Mary because she is carrying the baby Jesus, who will "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:20-21).

Then, when Jesus is actually born and an angel announces his birth, a crowd of angels appears, lighting up the night sky in the fields near Bethlehem. "A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God…" This was no simple birth announcement—the Savior of the world had come!

"Angels We Have Heard On High" tells the story in a beautifully lyrical way. And the refrain picks up the angels’song, using the Latin phrase "Gloria in excelsis Deo," which means "Glory to God in the highest." The angels could not contain their praise.

As we celebrate Christmas this season, we are reminded of God’s great love for us in the birth of Jesus. Like the angels, we also have the opportunity to burst into praise. And let’s invite others to join us as we give glory to God, for the Savior has come!