Hark the Herald

Luke 2:10-14 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 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, goodwill toward men!”

 

Last night, we watched our granddaughter’s Christian school’s Christmas program and our youngest granddaughter’s class sang “Hark the Herald Angels sing” on stage. It was wonderful and heart-warning to see and hear her joyful rendition of this classic Christmas Carol. The song goes like this:

 

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

 

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

 

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

 

What amazing Gospel truth is conveyed in these lyrical lines of glory, praise and worship in this exultant season where we celebrate the arrival of the promised Messiah; the Christ, the Lamb of God, God with us, the blessed Redeemer of mankind come to save us from our sins. God plan of Salvation is revealed, recognized, realized and reality in the birth of Jesus , the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Savior of the world.

 

Hymncharts’ article states that in 1739, prolific hymn writer Charles Wesley penned a Christmas hymn titled “Hark How All the Welkin Rings” for his and brother John’s collection, Hymns and Sacred Poems. The opening line referenced the “welkin,” an old English word for the sky or heavens, ringing with joyful praise for the newborn king. In 1753, famed preacher George Whitefield reworked the first line to the familiar “Hark! the herald angels sing.” In 1840, esteemed German composer Felix Mendelssohn had written a rousing melody. This upbeat, vivacious score that was intended to honor the spread of knowledge and ideas would end up underscoring the revelation of the divine made flesh; God incarnate Jesus Christ. The infant Jesus was himself the Word manifest transformed to dwell among humanity. This beloved Christmas carol focused on the birth of the Savior of the world. 

 

The eventual wedding of the spirit of Mendelssohn’s music with the soul of Wesley’s poetry would do just that with soul-stirring beauty. Now it is sang and proclaimed by our little ones and us annually in celebration of Jesus Christ – the reason for the season.

 

Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end.”

 

In Christ, Brian