Angels bending near the earth - Advent 1

It came upon the midnight clear,

that glorious song of old,

from Angels bending near the earth

to touch their harps of gold.

These are familiar opening words of the Christmas carol from which the Methodist Church in Britain has taken the theme of the Christmas campaign this year, ‘Hush the noise’. On or before every Sunday in Advent I will post a reflection on one verse of the carol.

Today, Llangollen Cytûn (Churches Together in Llangollen) joined in the Christmas Festival parade. We walked through the town, adults, children, and teenagers; some were dressed as angels. We gave out knitted angels and ‘Hush the Noise’ invitation cards as we wished people a happy Christmas. It was good to be part of the celebration along with Morris dancers, runners, tractors, horses, fire-engine and Siôn Corn (The traditional Welsh Father Christmas, who is dressed in green). We believe it was the first time the churches had taken part in the parade, joining with the community and sharing something of the good news of the angels. In the town centre others maintained the annual tradition of offering food, drink and craft activities for children in the Methodist Church Hall. They too were sharing the good news.

We really didn’t look at all like the angels we read about in the Bible, they were at least awesome and possibly terrifying. The shepherds were terrified when the angels came:

“Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” (Luke 2:9)

Because of their terror the first words of the angelic message had to be, “Do not be afraid.” The glory of the Lord shone around them and that meant it was too bright to look at, all they could do was fall to the ground.

 It is little wonder that the hymn writer, Edmund Hamilton Sears, writes of angels bending near the earth. When I imagine angels bending near the earth, I picture beings whose dwelling place is beyond my thought or imagination. They are bending through the aeons of separation like a mighty bridge between heaven and earth. God is close and they are showing this to be so.

 The angels bend near the earth for only one reason, to touch their harps, to sing their song of peace and good-will, God’s gift to all.

 Will we stop? Will we allow moments of solemn stillness? Will we hear the angels sing?

And, when we hear them sing, will we recognise the power of God’s grace and be ready to receive the gift of peace?