Lyrics
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their joyous strains
Gloria
Gloria
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav'nly song
Gloria
Gloria
There's a peace for those
Who find His joy
Hallelujah, God our hope
So we raise our praise
Glory to His name
In excelsis Deo
In excelsis Deo
In excelsis Deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Gloria” joins the familiar Christmas carol with a contemporary declaration of hope and praise. The opening scene follows the angels whose song crosses the plains and is answered by the mountains. Questions addressed to the shepherds lead toward Bethlehem, where Christ is identified as the newborn King and receives adoration. The repeated cry of “Gloria” keeps the song centered on glory offered to God rather than on the wonder of the scene alone.
A newer passage draws out the peace and joy associated with Christ’s birth, naming God as the source of hope. The call to raise praise and sing “In excelsis Deo” echoes the angelic proclamation of glory to God in the highest. By placing the shepherds, Bethlehem, worship, peace, and divine glory together, the lyric retells the Nativity as both an announcement and an invitation to adore Christ. Its movement is simple and clear: the heavenly message is heard, the newborn King is sought, and praise rises in response.
Related Scripture
- Luke 2:13-14 The angels praise God and proclaim peace at the birth of Jesus.
- Luke 2:15-16 The shepherds go to Bethlehem and find Mary, Joseph, and the child.
- Matthew 2:11 The visitors bow before the child and worship Him.