The Christmas Carols: Past, Present, & Future HopeSample

Day 23

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Read: John 4:19-24

Within the story of 18th century western church history, John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield must be included. Growing up within the Church of England, these men each came to genuine faith in Christ later in life, then followed Him in radical ways. As some of the fathers of American Evangelicalism, they spread the gospel through open air revival meetings and church services with thousands in attendance. Whitefield alone preached to as many as 30,000 in one audience!

Given their common threads, it is no surprise that these men were friends and had a great deal of respect for each other’s ministry, despite some theological differences. For instance, Charles Wesley wrote over 7,500 hymns, and Whitefield incorporated some of them into his revivals. One such hymn Wesley titled, “Hark, How the Welkin Rings!” (The word “welkin” means “vault of heavens”.) Whitefield loved the song but decided to change the opening line to “Hark the Herald Angels Sing!” Whitefield, however, never asked Wesley’s permission. Outraged, Wesley refused to acknowledge or sing the Whitefield version. Can you imagine that? The author of one of the most famous Christmas songs ever written never sang it!

What do you do at Christmas time that would upset you if changed? Is it the day presents are opened? The songs sung in church? A particular service that must be attended or passage of Scripture that must be the text for that service? Whatever it is, there are some traditions that just “have to happen” in order for it to be Christmas for you.

But what if you open presents on Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve? What if you sing “Manger Throne” instead of “Silent Night”? What if the “wrong passage” is preached at the Christmas service?

Will you refuse to sing?

May we learn from Wesley’s folly. Santa has not always been at the mall. Candles have not always been a part of Christmas Eve services. And at one time, it was the “Welkin,” not the “Herald Angels” who were ringing/singing. The key is not the tradition, but the spirit behind it. Whitefield, and later Felix Mendelssohn, improved Wesley’s hymn. Likewise, God might be using changes in your Christmas celebrations to increase your soul’s rejoicing. Don’t refuse to sing. Join the angel chorus and worship Christ the new born King!

Hark, How All the Welkin Rings! - Wesley

“Hark, how all the welkin rings,
“Glory to the King of kings.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies.
Universal nature say
“Christ the Lord is born today!”

Christ, by highest Heaven ador’d,
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 as man with men to appear,
Jesus, our Immanuel here!

Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen 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.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us thy humble home.
Rise, the woman’s conquering seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore.
Now in mystic union join,
Thine to ours, and ours to thine.

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface.
Stamp Thy image in its place.
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the life, the inner Man:
O! to all thyself impart,
Form’d in each believing heart.”

Hark, The Herald Angels Sing! - Whitefield
“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 the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Christ, by highest Heaven ador’d,
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.

Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild He lays his glory by,
Born that men no more may die.
Born to raise us from the earth.
Born to give us second birth.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us thy heavenly home.
Rise, the woman’s conquering seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Adam’s likeness now efface.
Stamp Thy image in its place.
Second Adam from above,
Work it in us by thy love.