Christmas Carol History, Number 6, Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Carol 6: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

This carol is one of the thousands of hymns written by Charles Wesley (1707-1788); considered to be one of four most popular hymns in the English language. The tune was written by none other than the great composer, Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)—also the name of the tune, “Mendelssohn”. The original text consisted of ten four-line stanzas. [1]

Biblical Connection

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2)

And suddenly there was with the Angel, a multitude of the Heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:13-14).

Like so many of Wesley’s hymns, this is a condensed course in biblical doctrine in poetic form. It tells of the angels’ visit to the shepherds, the virgin birth, Christ’s deity, and a concern for Christ-like living.

The Carol

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

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 hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

Chorus:

Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born 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 God-head see, hail th’incarnate Deity

Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.

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.

Come, Desire of Nations, come! Fix in us Thy humble home

Rise, the woman’s conq’ring seed, bruise in us the serpent’s head

Adam’s likeness now efface, stamp Thine image in its place

Second Adam from above, reinstate us in Thy love.

Summary

Charles Wesley always sought to teach everyone about biblical truths when he wrote a hymn. This classic Christmas carol is no different. Songs have always been an easy way for God’s people to memorize Scripture and to learn the Christian doctrine. I trust you will review the “lessons” in this carol and that they will lead you for the first time, or once again, to the Christ of Christmas.

---

[1] Osbeck, K.W. (1985). 101 More Hymn Stories. Kregel Publications.

Christmas Carol History—12 Carols of Advent

Carol Three—It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

Today’s carol, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, was written by Edmund H. Sears (1810-1876) and the tune, named simply “Carol”, was composed by Richard S. Willis (1819-1900). Mr. Sears was a Unitarian minister in Boston, Mass. He wrote this poem in 1849 and the next year Mr. Willis wrote this joyful music for it. It is one of the few carols of the 19^th century that declares the real Christmas message, “Peace on earth, good will towards men.”

It was one of the first carols ever written by an American author and has appeared in just about every hymnbook in print since. While being trained in the Unitarian denomination, he once declared, “I believe and preach the divinity of Christ.”[1]

Mr. Willis was no slouch either. Not only was he a rather well-known American musician of the 19^th century, but he was also a close intimate friend of Felix Mendelssohn’s, having studied music composition for six years in Germany.

Biblical Connection

Luke 2: 13 & 14 give some biblical foundation for Sears’ carol, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.”  This carol was written during a time of much social and political unrest in American history, being written just 10 years before the outbreak of the civil war.  Words like “beneath the crushing load” speak of the pressures of the day but the carol ends with a note of optimism,

“when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and the whole world gives back the song, which now the angels sing.”

The theme of angels (messengers of good news) plays prominently in this carol, being mentioned in every stanza. Angels figure prominently in the whole story of Jesus’ birth. It was the angel who told Mary of her pregnancy. It was an angel who convinced Joseph to take Mary as his wife. It was an angel who delivered the good news to the shepherds. It was a choir of angels who declared his birth. It was an angel that warned the three wise men to not go back to Herod after having met the baby king.

The Carol

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

It came upon a midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven’s all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing

Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing

All ye beneath life’s crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing

For lo, the days are hast’ning on
By prophet bards foretold
When with the ever-circling years
Comes round the age of gold
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.

Summary

We know that the sky over Bethlehem was clear on the night Jesus was born (whenever that was) because a bright shining star was responsible for helping the magi find their way to the Baby King.

However, we all know that the sky above isn’t always clear but clouded over in our lives with the cares and pressures of “life’s crushing load,” that is evident, even at Christmas. This season can represent extra cares and pressures of life for many people. May we follow the admonition of scripture this Advent season and seek to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).

---

[1] Osbeck, K.W. (1985). 101 More Hymn Stories. Kregel Publications.