Treasuring those Songs of Christmas
One of the great things about the Songs of Christmas is how timeless they can be. More than two-thousand years after the birth of Christ we continue to tell the good news through song. Some of these songs have been around for centuries, while new Christmas songs are being written every year.
Whether we are at church, in the stores or listening to the radio, we hear tunes that remind us that Christmas is almost here. These songs help us reflect on the many joys of the season, our time with family and ultimately God’s greatest gift to us, his only son.
One favorite song of Christmas, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, didn’t start out as a Christmas hymn at all. In fact, the tune that accompanied the original lyrics is most associated with Easter, Christ the Lord has Risen Today.
Richard Niell Donovan writes about the origins of Hark the Herald Angels Sing on the website, www.lectionary.org. According to Mr. Donovan, Charles Wesley penned the lyrics to the song back in 1738. The original hymn started with “Hark, how all the welkin rings.” Welkin refers to the “vault of heaven.”
Later, evangelist George Whitfield changed the first lines of the song, to “Hark the herald angels sing.”
According to Mr. Donovan, Charles Wesley resented Whitfield’s actions and refused to sing it. Eventually, more changes were made to the song in the mid 1800’s and the version we have come to know and love has become a staple of the holiday season.
Can you imagine the season without hearing this triumphant telling of Christ’s birth in the little town of Bethlehem?
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 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 the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son 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!"
Treasure those songs of Christmas. You never know what happened along the road to them becoming one of your favorites.
Clayton Hensley - Director of Communications
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