December
2012 - Vol. 64
The Nativity by Duccio
St. Athanasius' Christmas
Eve homily (4th century bishop of Alexandria, Egypt and author of The
Incarnation of theWord of God) is replete with imagery expressing
the unfathomable truth that God became man so that man could partake in
the life of God. “God on earth and man in heaven”...a phrase Steve Clark
[see The
Real Meaning of Christmas] has often spoken, is the inspiration for
the song Glory Cry the Angel Choirs. What no man could even have
hoped for, dreamed of, or ever accomplished has been wondrously given to
us. As the gift, so the cost. Christ emptied himself, so must we. The gift
we could never gain, we will never lose...the cost: “only all, only love,
priceless love all loves surpassing.”
This song culminates with the scriptural
titles for the Messiah sung in the O
Antiphons during the last week of Advent. Watching for God is like
stepping into a dark room. One sees dimly at first, but as one remains
steadfast and peers into the darkness, one's eyes begin to see. So may
it be for us this advent season. May we see him whose very presence draws
the cry “glory”! from the angel choirs.
Lyrics to Glory Cry the
Angel Choirs [and audio
clip of song]
What
no man could hope for now conceived.
Earth
is raised to heaven on this eve.
God
on earth and man in heaven,
Who
can such a wonder fathom?
Glory
cry the angel choirs,
Glory
fills creation's song!
Hope
of heart's most pure desires,
Unto
us the Lord God is born.
Sprung
from Jesse's root the promised Son,
Hope
of prophets, our desired one.
Key
of David, Star of Light,
Man
is raised to heaven's height.
Rejoice
for our Emmanuel is come!
Glory
cry the angel choirs,
Glory
fills creation's song!
Hope
of heart's most pure desires,
Unto
us the Lord God is born.
Word of
God made flesh in perfect love.
Man
made son of God to reign above.
God
descends in mortal flesh,
Man
is clothed in holiness;
The
child is born to set the nations free!
Glory
cry the angel choirs,
Glory
fills creation's song!
Hope
of heart's most pure desires,
Unto
us the Lord God is born.
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Tiffany
glass design by Frederick Wilson
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