There’s an old saying that “familiarity breeds contempt” and I believe Christmas carols are at risk of such apathy. We often sing them from memory and revel in their melodies as part of the season’s ambiance, like the smells of pine boughs and warm cookies, the taste of eggnog, and the sound of crackling fires and jingle bells. So, to counter inadvertent disregard for rich Christian hymnary, let us absorb the richness of one of the most popular Christmas carols of all time.
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 | Charles Wesley 1739. v1
Charles Wesley opens the hymn with a familiar image of shepherds cowering under the heavenly hosts. Therefore, we join the well-known rhythm and become lost in revelry. If so, we might not heed his first admonition to “Hark!” Let the abrupt proclamation alert us to the rest of the message. The angels said, “Listen! An unprecedented thing is happening. A helpless baby lying in a manager will change the world and all creation forever. The nations would join the angel’s triumphant proclamation, if only they would listen. We would join them, if only we would really harken to their Word. ’God and sinners reconciled’ because the Messiah was born in Bethlehem.”
Christ, by the 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 | Charles Wesley 1739. v2
The child of Mary, wrapped in carefully prepared cloth, nursing in his mother’s arms, surrounded by farm animals, and guarded by a godly husband, was adored by all the hosts of Heaven. Their joy so magnificent that it pierced the thin fabric between heaven and earth, concentrated through a tiny portal bursting with light and then, briefly, as a vast display before astonished shepherds of the Temple flocks. The LORD, ADONAI, reduced to human form, even pleased to be so, is our God with us.
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 | Charles Wesley 1739. v3
The evil king, Herrod, thought of destroying the unwanted heir, as if he could even do so. As the devil’s instrument, Herrod’s lies, oppression, and chaos could not withstand the providence of God. The Prince of Peace and glory of God’s perfect nature reigns! Infant Christ grew and became the perfection of our salvation. A baby was born to die and rise, and break the back of Satan to open the way home to the Father’s house. The cooing child in quiet stillness lay while all the power and might of the LORD rested within him like a seedling in winter soil. His birth provided for our spiritual rebirth and physical resurrection.
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 pow’r, Ruined nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine. ~ Hark! the Herald Angels Sing | Charles Wesley 1739. v4
Rulers in the world seek His annihilation, but the people born of Adam long for his victory over the Enemy. The world’s meek and lowly fervently desire the end of lies, oppression, and chaos. Just as the least among men were the first to greet him, so too the humble, contrite, and faithful may still enjoy His glory now. Christ is ever present and His glory is the aura seen behind so much that seems commonplace.
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: Oh, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart. ~ Hark! the Herald Angels Sing | Charles Wesley 1739. v5
Wesley’s last verse is a response to the message we have harkened. Take away the visage of Adam’s sin that clouds our true nature. Replace it with that of the new Adam, Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Fill us with the love that only your Spirit can generate within. Remake our nature so that we will be You to all with whom we walk.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
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