Church Fathers Commentary Luke 2:13-14

"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 among men in whom he is well pleased." — Luke 2:13-14 (ASV)

The Venerable Bede: So that the authority of a single angel would not seem small, as soon as one had revealed the sacrament of the new birth, a multitude of the heavenly host was immediately present. The attending chorus of angels has rightly received the name of "heavenly host," since they both humbly bring their aid to that Leader who is mighty in battle—who has appeared to overthrow the powers of the air—and also bravely conquer those opposing powers with their celestial weapons, so that they cannot prevail as they wish in tempting humanity.

But because He is both God and man, they rightly sing peace to men and glory to God, as it follows: "Praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest." As soon as one angel, one messenger, had brought the good news that God was born in the flesh, the multitude of the heavenly host broke forth in praise of the Creator.

They did this both to fix their devotion on Christ and to instruct us by their example. Whenever any of the brothers proclaims the word of sacred teaching, or we ourselves have reflected on these holy things, we should, with our whole heart, mouth, and hands, return praise to God.

St. John Chrysostom: In the past, angels were indeed sent to punish—for example, to the Israelites, to David, to the men of Sodom, and to the valley of weeping. But now, they sing a song of thanksgiving to God, because He has revealed to them His coming down to humanity.

St. Gregory the Great: At the same time, they also give praise because their voices of gladness harmonize with our redemption. And as they behold our acceptance, they also rejoice that their own number is made complete.

The Venerable Bede: They also wish peace for humanity, as they add, On earth peace to men, because those whom they had previously despised as weak and lowly, they now regard as friends, since our Lord has come in the flesh.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: This peace has been made through Christ, for He has reconciled us by Himself to God our Father, having taken away our guilt, which was also the cause of offense. He has united two peoples into one man and has joined the heavenly and the earthly into one flock.

The Venerable Bede: The words "of good will" explain for whom they ask peace: namely, for those who receive the newborn Christ. For there is no peace for the wicked, but great peace for those who love the name of God.

Origen of Alexandria: But the attentive reader will ask, "How then does the Savior say, I came not to send peace on the earth, while the angels' song at His birth is, On earth peace to men?" The answer is that this peace is said to be for people of goodwill. For the peace that the Lord does not bring to the earth is not this peace of goodwill.

St. Augustine of Hippo: For righteousness belongs to goodwill.

St. John Chrysostom: Behold the wondrous work of God! He first brings angels down to men, and then brings men up to heaven. Heaven became earth when it was about to receive earthly things.

Origen of Alexandria: But speaking mystically, the angels saw that they could not accomplish the work entrusted to them without Him who was truly able to save, and that their own healing efforts fell short of what the care of humanity required.

And so it was as if someone with great medical knowledge were to come, and those who were previously unable to heal, now acknowledging the hand of a master, do not begrudge seeing the corruption of wounds cease. Instead, they break forth in praise of the Physician.

They also praise the God who sent a man of such knowledge to them and to the sick. In the same way, the multitudes of angels praised God for the coming of Christ.