Christmas Carols

As I wrote earlier, Stephan and I went to see the US Navy Band in concert recently. They're a very talented group. I love seeing them perform. But this year it wasn't the performance that struck me.

The chior sang Hark! The herald angels sing. As they sang, I found myself for the first time really taking in the lyrics. After two verses I leaned over to my husband and whispered "I wonder if they have any idea what they're singing..."

Listen:

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."

God and sinners reconciled. I found myself getting really excited as the song went on. What a victory anthem! We've been reconciled to God!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." -2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (emphasis mine)

How exciting! And that's just scratching the surface of the truth and hope this song recounts. Think about what it's saying: our savior was born. The only person who could reconcile us to God was finally on the scene. The drama of redemption was finally beginning.

If you're shaking your head asking "What the heck does all that mean?" - check back tomorrow. It could be the biggest favor you ever do yourself. Until then, here's the rest of Hark! The herald angels sing (even the verses not usually sung at Christmas). As you hear Christmas carols sung on the radio and in the mall this year, stop and take in the lyrics. Let them point you back to the "Reason for the Season."

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 th’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!”

Come, Desire of nations, come,

Fix in us Thy humble home;

Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring 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.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,

Stamp Thine 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,

Formed in each believing heart.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Author: Charles Wesley