ANGELS SINGING
SERMON PREACHED BY FR. TONY NOBLE
Christmas Day 2010
Hebrews 1:2 “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, who he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the world.”
In the letter to the Hebrews we find the same declaration that we find in the opening of the gospel according to St John: “In the beginning was the Word…. All things were made through him………And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
The baby Jesus, whom we come to worship this morning, is the Word of God made flesh. He is the incarnate Son of God. The readings at Mass on Christmas Day focus on this, and draw our hearts to this theological mystery. But our minds are really elsewhere. We are more inclined to gaze at the people who are part of the scene: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men.
Although the mystery of the incarnation is the focus of this morning’s Mass, we cannot look at the simple scene in Bethlehem without stopping and pondering.
There are some who are neglected in this scene. Perhaps they are merely scene as decoration or background music. I refer, of course, to the angels. Yet, they are featured in every Christmas Creche, on Christmas cards, and in many Christmas carols and hymns.
We find that the Christmas angels are different from other angels in the scriptures. They just come for this great day. The angels we usually find in scripture bring announcements from God. The one’s that appear to be important have names like Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The names of the Christmas angels are not given – they are simply called a great host. They did not come to fight, or to bring about an event. They don’t actually come to do anything. They come to worship.
The Christmas angels simply came to worship Christ. That, of course, is what they do eternally in heaven. What we see them doing on Christmas day is what they do forever.
In their appearing at Bethlehem, there is one other purpose. Their purpose was to bring light. Luke 2 records: “Lo the angle of the Lord came upon them, and lo the glory of the Lord shown round about them.” The theme of light is associated with the Christmas angels. These angels lend light and luster to the scene. The mystery they worship is obscure………their presence literally illuminates it.
Along with singing and praise, light is one of the themes flowing throughout scripture. This first chapter of Hebrews speaks at length about the angels bearing witness by shining light on the situation. They do not reveal the mystery and its meaning – but they draw attention to it. They do not explain it – but they worship it by their presence, by their singing and by their worship.
I believe that is the simplest definition of our vocation as Christians: our presence and our worship. Either way, we live the life of Christ’s disciples just like the angels.
Of course, the most obvious thing about the Christmas angels is that they sing.
“Glory be to God on high, and on earth, goodwill and peace towards men.”
Why do they sing? It is because they cannot help it. They are watching the incarnation, the birth of God as a man. Of course they are going to sing! We would have sung if we were there.
There was music at the heart of creation, at the dawn of this world. There is music always at the heart of worship. And there is music at the heart of God. So they sing, “Glory.”
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the Christmas angels, by their singing, give us a vision of peace. “Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.” The angels sing of peace. Thus they reveal the purpose of the birth of the Prince of Peace.
From the moment of Jesus’ birth the angels sing of peace, because that was to be his vocation and ministry. His birth is linked particularly to peace. The angels knew that then and they know it now.
So on this Christmas day, as we come to worship with the angels – singing indeed their song – we must make their song of peace our own Christmas message.