Angels From The Realms of Glory

Angels From The Realms of Glory

This is the final stretch of Advent, the season between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The church celebrates the expected arrival of Christ during these few weeks. Advent has a dual element of expectation. We look back on the historical arrival of Christ on Christmas morning in Bethlehem, but we also look forward to His expected future return.

Advent is about anticipation and our desire for a Savior. “Angels From The Realms of Glory,” written by James Montgomery, is the perfect Christmas Carol to wrap up the Advent Season.

James was an orphaned child of missionary parents who died when he was 10. He flunked out of school at the age of 14 but soon realized that he had a knack for writing. He sold his poetry in the streets which led to a job as a writer for a radical newspaper in Sheffield. When the paper’s owner was forced to flee the country, James acquired it and assumed the role of editor.

He was loyal to the faith of his parents. On Christmas Eve, in 1816, James read the Bible’s Christmas narrative in Luke 2. His thoughts rested on verses 13-14:

Luke 2:13-14

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, good will toward men.”

He was inspired to write a hymn that conveyed the magnitude of that event to all of the characters involved: the angels, the shepherds, the seekers, the saints who desire to worship Him and, finally, all of creation.

The hymn was published that same day and was well received. It was first sung on Christmas morning of 1821 in a nearby Moravian church.

It’s a hymn that focuses on the hope that is given by Christ to all who seek Him; past, present and future. That hope is expressed in the urgency and tenacity of the repeated phrase, “Come and Worship ... Come and Worship.”

That’s what Advent is all about; adoring our Savior who came to earth and who will come again. Come and worship Christ the King! You can listen here: https://youtu.be/Fylg6qZkFd0?si=6xYVER4gSrOS3ySY

ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY

1-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:

Chorus:

Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.

2-Shepherds, in the fields abiding,

Watching o'er your flocks by night,

God with man is now residing,

Yonder shines the infant light:

(Chorus)

3-Sages, leave your contemplations

Brighter visions beam afar;

Seek the great Desire of nations,

Ye have seen his natal star:

(Chorus)

4-Saints before the altar bending,

Watching long in hope and fear,

Suddenly the Lord, descending,

In his temple shall appear.

(Chorus)

5-All creation, join in praising

God the Father, Spirit, Son,

Evermore your voices raising,

To th'eternal Three in One:

(Chorus)