Katherine Jenkins - Angels From The Realms of Glory Lyrics
Lyrics
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star;
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King!
Video
Angels From the Realms of Glory - Katherine Jenkins
Meaning & Inspiration
Katherine Jenkins' rendition of "Angels from the Realms of Glory," featured on her 2012 album *This Is Christmas*, serves as a powerful and reverent invocation of the Nativity story, drawing deeply from the wellspring of Christian scripture and tradition. This classic carol, with its majestic call to worship, finds a fitting voice in Jenkins, whose performance imbues the familiar words with profound sincerity. The song’s narrative begins with a celestial summons, as angels are called to proclaim the birth of the Messiah to the entire earth. This echoes the very first Christmas announcement, as described in Luke 2:10-14, where an angel appears to shepherds, followed by a multitude of the heavenly host praising God: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." The lyrical invitation, "Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King!" is a direct response to this divine revelation, a universal invitation to humanity to acknowledge the Incarnation.
The carol then shifts focus to the shepherds, those humble figures tending their flocks, who are among the first earthly witnesses to this miraculous event. The lyrics speak of "God with man is now residing," a beautiful articulation of Emmanuel, a name for Jesus prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and fulfilled in Matthew 1:23. The imagery of the "infant Light" shining in the darkness directly references Jesus’ own declaration in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The song’s progression continues to the wise men, the "Sages," who have followed a star to seek out the promised Messiah. Their journey is one of faith and discernment, guided by the celestial sign mentioned in Matthew 2:1-2. The lyrics' reference to the "great desire of nations" points to the longing for salvation that permeated many cultures, a hope fulfilled in the arrival of Christ, who is indeed the Savior of the world, as proclaimed in John 4:42.
Finally, the carol brings in the faithful who have long waited in anticipation, the "Saints before the altar bending," who have watched "long in hope and fear." This speaks to the Old Testament prophets and righteous individuals who yearned for the coming of the Messiah, as described in passages like 1 Peter 1:10-12, where prophets eagerly inquired about the salvation that was to come. The dramatic appearance of the Lord in His temple, as alluded to in the lyrics, connects to the prophecies of His glorious return and the ultimate establishment of His kingdom. Jenkins' interpretation of "Angels from the Realms of Glory" transcends a mere musical performance; it is a spiritual meditation, a powerful reminder of the profound significance of Christ's birth and the enduring call to worship Him as King, uniting the heavenly proclamation with the earthly response of faith.