Angels join us in Christmas praise; Angels: Day 181

Last updated on: January 18, 2017 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Angels join us in Christmas praise; Angels: Day 181 2017-01-15T10:13:19-05:00 Pete Socks

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In a hymn for the Christmas vigil, St. Ephrem the Syrian expresses his astonishment that angels and archangels joined with human beings to praise Christ. In our Christmas hymns, we are the companions of the Seraphim.

On his feast day, let us tell of the birth of the First-Born.

On his day, he gives us secret comforts. If the wicked king at his feast, in memory of his own birthday, gave the gift of wrath, the head (of John the Baptist) on a platter, how much more will the Blessed give blessings to us when we sing praises at his feast!

Let us not suppose that this evening is like any other evening. The reward of our wakefulness—his feast—exceeds a hundred times every other day. This feast makes war on sleep this evening. Speaking of it makes war on silence. Adorned with every blessing, it is the highest of all feasts, and of every joy.

Today the angels and archangels came down to sing a new song on earth. In this mystery they come down and rejoice with those who keep the vigil. Blasphemy was everywhere, but they gave praise. Blessed be the birth by which—Look!—the world resounds with anthems of praise!

For this is the night that brought together the Watchers on high with the keepers of the vigil. The Watchers came to make more watchers in the midst of creation. Look! Those who keep the vigil become friends of the watchers! Those who sing praise become companions of the Seraphim! Blessed be anyone who becomes the harp of Christ’s praise—and Christ’s grace becomes his reward.

–St. Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on the Nativity, 14

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

When Christmas is coming, do I find my place in the drama of salvation as the angels found their place at the Annunciation, at the crib, on the road with the Magi, and among the shepherds in the fields?

CLOSING PRAYER

Angels whom we have heard on high, teach us to praise the God come down from Heaven to take on our lowliness.

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