REJOICING IN REPLY

 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.” Psalm 18:1-5

The hymn “Angels we have Heard on High” was written mainly to focus on the story of the shepherds meeting the heavenly hosts in field who are singing in full chorus, “Gloria, In Excelsis Deo. However, I think there is another beautiful part to this hymn. The part where the mountains echo the angels’ joyous strains. Throughout scripture, we see mountains tremble and shake. Here is a moment when the beauty of God’s creation echoes back with delight the lyrics and joy of the angels. 

As a kid, echoes fascinated me. I remember standing above the Grand Canyon and yelling “hello” just to hear my own voice echo back to me. I remember what that felt like, the awe and mystery of it. When I think about the mountains echoing back the chorus of the angels, it makes me tremble. I can’t even imagine what those country shepherds felt like!

Just as the mountain replied, “Glory to God in the Highest” while rejoicing at the news of the Savior being born, the shepherds echoed the call by being sent to find the Newborn King. With echoes of rejoicing in delight, we can follow the example of the mountains and the shepherds.

 “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”  Luke 2:20 

What was probably just another night to them was transformed into a Holy night. A night that transformed the world. A Holy night that transformed us.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

REFLECTION

What burdens are you carrying? Maybe you feel hopeless, as the weights you hold bring you down. Hope came down that night. Hope came for you. Look up at the stars reflecting the light of hope brought by love down to earth. Hope. Freedom. All found in Christ. Lay your burdens down at the feet of hope.