Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Few songs come with a better pedigree than Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Words by Charles Wesley with music by Felix Mendelssohn taken from a cantata he wrote celebrating the 400th anniversary of the creation of Gutenberg's printing press. With a bloodline like that it is no wonder that “Hark” may be the most theologically rich of the Christmas carols. Not to mention my favorite.
In the great buffet of Christmas songs, Hark the Herald Angels sing is the carving station. This is no theological salad bar; healthy but not satisfying. Nor is it the empty caloried, but tasty, dessert tray. It is thick, meaty, rich, and satisfying. Theological Prime Rib. Protein for the soul.
Wesley starts with with standard images of singing angels (never mind the Bible never actually says they sang. We'll assume they did.) By the end of verse three he's in the Gospel of John talking about being born again (born to give them second birth). By verse four he's in Genesis invoking the earliest mention of the coming messiah with seed of woman bruising the serpents head, restoring not only mankind but all of creation. By verse 5 he's in 1 Corinthians talking about Jesus as the second Adam here to remove the curse by becoming cursed. The messiah come to atone for the fall. Through one sin entered the world and through one the world can be saved.
Newborn King, Offspring of a Virgin's Womb, Prince of Peace, Desire of Nations, Everlasting Lord, Emmanuel, Incarnate Deity, Second Adam, Healer, Giver of life. Wesley's Christ is fleshed out, full, and powerful. Pleased to lay aside his heavenly place to come and redeem a fallen creation. The creator of the universe veiled in mortal flesh.
We all have a favorite description of Jesus that directly reflects the Jesus who means most to us: Friend of Sinners, Healer, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, the Lamb who is Worthy and so forth. The real Jesus, of course, is all of those things and much, much more. Our brains cannot comprehend all he is, so our words cannot express it. That is why Wesley wished for a thousand tongues. Why Watts was humbled before the wondrous cross and Newton wept at His amazing grace. And that is why we sing. Hoping the music will make up for the inadequacy of our words.
God's love is always there, but certain times of the year, it staggers us. Christmas is one of those times. To think that the Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One, Son of God, Son of Man, Creator of the Universe, Alpha & Omega, Savior of Mankind etc, etc.. . . was all contained in that baby born in a stable in Bethlehem. Born that man no more may die. All because he loved us. That is why Wesley asks. us to join with the Angelic hosts in proclaiming Glory to the New Born King.. O' for a thousand tongues. . . . .
~Tom Bates
In the great buffet of Christmas songs, Hark the Herald Angels sing is the carving station. This is no theological salad bar; healthy but not satisfying. Nor is it the empty caloried, but tasty, dessert tray. It is thick, meaty, rich, and satisfying. Theological Prime Rib. Protein for the soul.
Wesley starts with with standard images of singing angels (never mind the Bible never actually says they sang. We'll assume they did.) By the end of verse three he's in the Gospel of John talking about being born again (born to give them second birth). By verse four he's in Genesis invoking the earliest mention of the coming messiah with seed of woman bruising the serpents head, restoring not only mankind but all of creation. By verse 5 he's in 1 Corinthians talking about Jesus as the second Adam here to remove the curse by becoming cursed. The messiah come to atone for the fall. Through one sin entered the world and through one the world can be saved.
Newborn King, Offspring of a Virgin's Womb, Prince of Peace, Desire of Nations, Everlasting Lord, Emmanuel, Incarnate Deity, Second Adam, Healer, Giver of life. Wesley's Christ is fleshed out, full, and powerful. Pleased to lay aside his heavenly place to come and redeem a fallen creation. The creator of the universe veiled in mortal flesh.
We all have a favorite description of Jesus that directly reflects the Jesus who means most to us: Friend of Sinners, Healer, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, the Lamb who is Worthy and so forth. The real Jesus, of course, is all of those things and much, much more. Our brains cannot comprehend all he is, so our words cannot express it. That is why Wesley wished for a thousand tongues. Why Watts was humbled before the wondrous cross and Newton wept at His amazing grace. And that is why we sing. Hoping the music will make up for the inadequacy of our words.
God's love is always there, but certain times of the year, it staggers us. Christmas is one of those times. To think that the Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Holy One, Son of God, Son of Man, Creator of the Universe, Alpha & Omega, Savior of Mankind etc, etc.. . . was all contained in that baby born in a stable in Bethlehem. Born that man no more may die. All because he loved us. That is why Wesley asks. us to join with the Angelic hosts in proclaiming Glory to the New Born King.. O' for a thousand tongues. . . . .
~Tom Bates
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