"Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Lk. 2:13-14)

(This hymn of praise is sung or is said on Sundays outside Advent and Lent, on solemnities and feasts, and in any solemn local celebrations.)

Read the prayer over and over. Study it, and see the incredible beauty and simplicity in it.

The "Gloria" was conceived as a hymn of praise modeled on the canticles and psalms of the Scriptures. It is one of the oldest hymns of the earliest period of Christian hymnody. The version in Greek is dated from 380 A.D. almost exactly as in its present wording.

Its use was primarily a song of praise for the important solemnities of the Church year, yet it was a staple for papal Sunday liturgies. The "Gloria," from its inception, enjoyed a folk-song congregational singing nature. Only a very much later development turned it into the high choir and virtuoso composition.

The whole act of this particular prayer is to praise God in the simplest of forms, through a series of expressions of praise. We praise Him. We give Him thanks. We acknowledge His overwhelming glory... and THANK Him for it!

In the second part of the prayer, we begin to focus on and praise Jesus' humanity.

We have come together to glorify God anew.

Psalm 9:2 I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart.