Angels from the Realms of Glory

About the Carol

The English poet James Montgomery composed the lyrics to "Angels from the Realms of Glory." This hymn was originally published on Christmas Eve, 1816, in the Sheffield Register, a newspaper that James Montgomery was the editor of.

Montgomery based this hymnal off of these verses from Luke: 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.^{Luke 2:13-14}

The last stanza is usually omitted in hymnals (and even this book), but reads as followed:

Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes your sentence,
Mercy calls you; break your chains.

This final stanza completes the progression throughout the hymn. The first stanza is about the angels, the second the shepherds, the third the sages, the fourth the saints, and so this last stanza is about the fifth, the sinners.

Lyrics ^{Back to Top ↑}

Analysis of Carol ^{Back to Top ↑}

God created angels. They are immortal and not earthly beings, like the humans and animals on Earth. Hence, Angels are from the realms of glory. Throughout the whole hymnal, Montgomery expands his hymn to more groups of people. First it is to the angels.

“Wing” here is used as a verb, but it is a common misconception that all angels have wings. We know for certain that some angels have wings: Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. ^{Isaiah 6:2} And we know that angels do fly: And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly. ^{2nd Samuel 22:11}

However, the angels that commonly visited Earth did not have wings. If they did, they would never be mistaken for men: And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son... And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am.^{Judges 13:3, 11} And there came two angels to Sodom at even... And they [Sodomites] called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. ^{Genesis 19:1, 5}

This is a reference to the Lord's answer to Job's questions, where he tells us that the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy: Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding... When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?^{Job 38:4, 7}

A reference not only to Gabriel, who was sent by God to Mary,^{(Luke 1:26, 27.)} but also to the shepherds in the field. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people... And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.^{Luke 2:10, 13}

It is important to note that it is okay to worship Jesus. The Bible makes it clear that we are not to keep idols: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.^{Exodus 20:4, 5} Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.^{Matthew 4:10, Luke 4:8}

But Jesus is eligible for worship. The wise men knew this when they said to King Herod: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. ^{Matthew 2:2}

Now Montgomery has expanded his hymn to include shepherds. These lines are again a reference to the shepherds who were in the field when the choir of Angels praised God: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 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.^{Luke 2:8, 9, 13, 14}

This is an accurate statement, Jesus had been born on Earth.

The light referenced is what we now call the Star of Bethlehem, which is what the wise men were following to find Jesus. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.^{Matthew 2:2}

And they followed the star to where Jesus was laid: When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.^{Matthew 2:9, 10}

Now Montgomery has expanded his hymnal to the sages, who are the wise men. Suddenly, these men were no longer in thought about when the savior would come. He was here now.

Because of the birth of Jesus, the future would look better. Hence, bright visions beam afar signals that people can receive hope of a brighter future.

A reference to Haggai, who wrote: And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.^{Haggai 2:7} Here Here Haggai is looking to Jesus's prophetic future when Jesus will rule on Earth. Jesus will fulfill that during his second coming.

Again a reference to the Star of Bethlehem. Perhaps also a warning. The Star has come, people should know that Jesus is born and come to him and seek the great desire of nations.

Last, Montgomery is expanding his hymnal to include saints, or believers in Jesus Christ.

Today the intense watching and waiting for Jesus to come back is still occurring. We have been doing as Jesus instructed for nearly two thousand years: Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. ^{Matthew 24:42} It is hope for the Saints, who long for Jesus's return, and it is fear for the unbelievers, when they realize the coming judgment.

And when Jesus returns, it will be a sudden event that all will know about: For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ^{Matthew 24:27} That is why Jesus tells us not to believe people who claim to have seen him: Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. ^{Matthew 24:26}

Unfortunately, there is no biblical support that Jesus will appear in a temple on his return. In fact, we are told that after all is done and Jesus has given all the judgments and rewards, that there will be no temple. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.^{Revelation 21:22} The subject of the temple is an engaging thought, as the Jewish people in Israel today are desperate to build the third temple. However, this political thought would not have been common when Montgomery wrote this hymn in 1816. Israel was not yet again a country at that time. We can only ponder what thoughts Montgomery had for this line.