My favorite Christmas carol is officially now “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley. The words (and music) were so powerful, almost overwhelming me this morning as I listened, really listened, in a way it is sometimes hard to do with a song that is so familiar. It was so powerfully moving me that I said to myself, shake it off Patty, it is a song, not SCRIPTURE! But as I meditated on the words it seemed like God must have inspired Mr. Wesley, carefully choosing each one, as surely he knew how enduring it would be. Try to read this without singing it. Makes it less ‘familiar.’
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born 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 new born King!”
Christ, by highest heaven 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 new born King!”
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 we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”
As I listened this morning I felt like all of heaven was saying ‘JOIN US!’ By the way, me second favorite hymn is “O Come Let Us Adore Him” for that very reason. It invites others. The more you witness God’s glory the more you want others to come adore, join the angelic hosts, proclaim him King! My heart this morning was broken over those that have not heard. Jesus prayed for our joy to be full and I think mine won’t be full until all have had an opportunity to see/know his glory! Could that be what Jesus meant? For my joy seems to always be mixed with a sorrow.
I’m with you sister! Thanks for an AWESOME POST!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Just a quick comment here. I’ve read your stuff most of the time–as a receiver of Missions Catalyst from Mission Exchange, and have been blessed repeatedly (ESP. that YouTube of the video from that Budapest church!!! amazing, I probably cried many times going over that, and have shared it in many other contexts in other parts of the world) …all that to say, “You’re doing GOOD work.” much as Wolfgang Simson was doing in the 90s with Friday Fax…keep it up.
shalom,
sms
Thanks, Steve. Quite a compliment when I am compared to Wolfgang! I remember the Friday Faxes!!