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LUKE 2:13 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Luke 2:12Luke 2:14
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying — the sudden appearance of the heavenly host (stratia, army — a military term applied to the angelic company) transforms the field into a scene of cosmic praise. The praising God (ainountōn ton theon) communicates worship as the appropriate response to the incarnation announcement — the heavenly court responds to the nativity with liturgy.

Church Fathers on Luke 2:13

Lest the authority of a single Angel should appear small, as soon as one had revealed the sacrament of the new birth, straightway there was present a multitude of the heavenly host. Rightly has the attending Chorus of Angels received the name of heavenly host, seeing they both humbly bring their aid to that Leader mighty in battle, Who has appeared to put down the powers of the air, and also themselves by their celestial arms bravely vanquish those opposing powers lest they…

Bede · 8th century

Of old, indeed, Angels were sent to punish, as, for instance to the Israelites, to David, to the men of Sodom, to the valley of weeping. Now on the other hand they sing the song of thanksgiving to God: because He has revealed to them His coming down to men.

Chrysostom · 4th century

At the same time they also give praises because their voices of gladness accord well with our redemption, and while they behold our acceptance, they rejoice also that their number is completed.

Gregory the Great · 6th century
Read all 9 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Luke 2:13 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy