Charles Wesley

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’
Luke 2:9-11; 13-14

 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing LBW 60

 1    Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king;
     peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."
      Joyful, all you nations, rise; join the triumph of the skies;
      with angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Refrain

      Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king!"

 2    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, incarnate deity!
      Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!  Refrain

3    Hail the heav'n-born 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 we no more may die,
      born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth.  Refrain

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt

      Charles Wesley was probably the most prolific and most celebrated hymn writers in history.  He wrote over 6000 in total!  This one may have been his best. In signing this hymn, as we do nearly every Christmas Eve, we sit with the Shepherds hearing the angel pronounce a great good news meant for all people!

      Wesley’s carol is filled with powerful images, but focus on the last two lines of verse 3; “born that we no more may die, born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth!”

Here Wesley reveals the theology that drove him to write all those hymns, the promise that in Christ, all would be raised and brought into relationship with God as a beloved child!  And this is news worth celebrating not only Christmas day but every day. And the chorus isn’t “hark the herald angels sing,” but rather “HARK!  The herald angels sing!”

Prayer:  Good and gracious God, in the noisiness of this life, keep our hearts and our ears open that we might hear the wondrous news of the Angels, and join with them in proclaiming, “Glory to the newborn King!”  Amen.