Liturgical Thought
Explanation and Guide to the Lutheran Liturgy
Why do we sing the Gloria in Excelsis immediately following the Kyrie?
“Gloria in Excelsis” is Latin phrase meaning, “Glory be to God on high.” Also called “The Greater Gloria,” the
Gloria in Excelsis is the second Ordinary of the Communion Liturgy, and begins with the song of the Bethlehem
angels who announced the birth of our Lord and is recorded in the second chapter of St. Luke verse 14. In this
canticle of praise, the pastor, kantor, or choir begins with, “Glory be to God on high…” and the congregation
joins in with, “and on earth peace, good will toward men….” In this way the congregation of the faithful joins
with the angels in singing our praises to God with this hymn of adoration celebrating the glory and majesty of God
the Father as manifested in the merciful gift of His Son. The LORD to whom we cry for mercy is the Savior who has
come to us in the flesh. Therefore we lift our voices in the “Gloria in Excelsis,” to greet the LORD who has come
in answer to our cry for mercy in the Kyrie.
If the Kyrie set the foundation of our need as sinners before God, the Gloria in Excelsis sets the foundation for
how God meets our need. Even so, we do not sing the Kyrie to somehow make God merciful toward us through
our petitions. Rather, we sing knowing that God is indeed, merciful. Thus, the Gloria in Excelsis is an expression
of faith in the mercy of our God and teaches us that the love for God’s glory must be overshadowed by the glory of
God’s love. Those who plead for mercy can do nothing to gain the goodwill of God. Yet, when they plead for it, the
angels preach their sermon once again. This sermon teaches us that the glory of God is in making peace with
sinners and that God’s glory is most manifest in the Holy Child of the manger, Jesus Christ. Just as the
manger sends Jesus to the Cross, the singing of the Gloria will, before the service has ended, send us to the Altar.
During the seasons of Advent and Lent, the Gloria in Excelsis is omitted (excluding Maundy Thursday) due to
the penitential and preparatory nature of these seasons. It is also traditionally excluded during weekday Divine
Service unless celebrating feasts of the first class or feasts of our LORD.
   Soli Deo Gloria   