From: Edward Hobbs (EHOBBS@WELLESLEY.EDU)
Date: Thu Dec 17 1998 - 16:22:25 EST
Perhaps Bill Ross was writing tongue in cheek when he posted:
{Edward}
>Lk 2:13-14 Gloria In Excelsis
----
This one is trickier, for although "Gloria in Excelsis" is applied
sometimes to this short song of the angels...
{Bill}
This was actually spoken "legovtwv". If it was a song, it was a rap song.
:-}
But if he was serious, note that LEGONT- ES, -WN, is commonly used for the
text of what is sung. As one of many examples, see Rev. 15:3:
KAI AiDOUSIN THN WiDHN MWUSEWS TOU DOULOU TOU QEOU
KAI THN WiDHN TOU ARNIOU LEGONTES,
MEGALA KAI QAUMASTA ktl.
So LEGONTWN does not mean they were not singing. As to whether they WERE
singing, we can't say for certain, but INHO, they SHOULD have been singing,
and the church has always called this the Song of the Angels, or the
Canticle (that's sung) Gloria in Excelsis Deo.
On the other hand, in Low Masses and at many 8:00 a.m. Matins or even
Eucharists, the CANTicles are merely recited (said). But I feel sure that
if angels are present, they would be singing.
And a Blessed Nativity to all, and a Happy Hanukkah as well; even a
merry Feast of Sol Invictus, if you are so inclined.
Edward Hobbs
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