The Lord Sings Over Us!
December 19, 2024
I love Christmas carols. I love singing them, I love hearing them, and I love the emotions they stir within me. I’ve never been one to relegate the Advent season to only Advent hymns (I mean, you can only sing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” so many times!). There are so many great, inspirational, theologically-rich Christmas hymns that need to be sung, and once Thanksgiving is over, I’m all in on Christmas!
One of my favorites is, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” by Charles Wesley. Charles, brother of John Wesley, who founded the Methodist movement, wrote this hymn in 1739 just a year after his conversion. That means for 285 years people have been singing these wonderful and powerful words about Jesus Christ, the One sent into the world by his heavenly Father for the salvation of the world. This hymn could be a sermon, or even a sermon series, lifting up who Jesus is and why Jesus came into the world. I invite you to spend some time reflecting on the lyrics, giving thanks to God for the gift of Jesus and inviting Him into your life anew this Christmas 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 the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn 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 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 heavenly Prince of Peace! Hail the Son 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. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Hope you can worship with us at Christ Church this season as we lift up the name of Jesus and celebrate His coming! By the way, here are a couple of my favorite versions of this great hymn – enjoy.
