Song 2: Gloria in Excelsis: “Glory Be to God”

In a large old church, the narthex often has a low ceiling, but think of what happens when you walk from narthex into nave. Suddenly, the low ceiling gives way to glorious, tall, sweeping arches; bright, colorful windows; a cross; an altar; a pulpit; and a baptismal font. This is where believers gather to worship God.

From low to high

A similar thing happens when we sing the first two canticles of the liturgy. “Lord, Have Mercy” is a song with a low ceiling, a song for sinners in a sin-filled world. But the Lord whose mercy we seek is also the Lord who saved us, and so the Kyrie Eleison gives way to the Gloria in Excelsis (GLO-ri-a in ek-SHEL-sees), a song with no ceiling at all, a song that stretches up into heaven, a song whose opening words were sung on the night of our Savior’s birth.

When the shepherds were out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks, a holy angel appeared, and they were terrified. Kyrie! Lord, have mercy! The ceiling was low. They were still in the narthex. But the angel said, “Do not be afraid! Today! . . . A Savior! . . . To you!” (see Luke 2:10,11). And suddenly, Kyrie gave way to Gloria. The low ceiling disappeared. The sky was filled with angels singing praises to God, and the shepherds’ hearts were full of praise too.

Our whole life is Kyrie and Gloria. Day after day, we offer the prayer of a soul in need: Lord, have mercy. Day after day, the Lord is there for us in the gospel: “Today! . . . A Savior! . . . To you!” Again and again, Kyrie gives way to Gloria. Fear gives way to peace. Shame gives way to joy. Despair gives way to hope.

From death to life

Picture a believer on her deathbed. She knows that her time here on earth is coming to an end. Everything in this world is growing dim. The effects of sin are everywhere. In her heart, she’s singing Kyrie. And in her heart, she already knows God’s answer: “Do not be afraid. I have good news of great joy. A Savior has been born to you.” She breathes her last. Her deathbed fades away. Her pain and her sins are gone. Heaven opens. Kyrie gives way to Gloria.

We sing the Gloria in Excelsis in our church services because Christians have been singing it since the fourth century. We sing it because it expresses a connection to believers from all around the world. But more than any of that, we sing the Gloria because of Jesus. God has forgiven our sins. He has put joy in our hearts and praise on our lips. “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.”

This is the second article in a four-part series on the songs of the Ordinary. Read part one. 

Author: Jon Zabell
Volume 112, Number 04
Issue: April 2025