Written by Bridge Church Elder Bill Erickson
Over the years I have spent a great deal of time reading and studying old hymns. And, now with the Christmas season here, I am listening every day to the great choral groups with their classic renditions of centuries-old carols.
With so many Christmas carols having been written down through the centuries, I think my favorite of all is Charles Wesley’s “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing.” Originally written with ten verses (yes 10!), it tells the complete story of the gospel. Read all ten verses of this grand old Christmas hymn as it was originally written:
HARK how all the Welkin rings,
Glory to the King of Kings,
Peace on Earth, and Mercy mild,
GOD and Sinners reconcil’d.
Joyful all ye Nations rise,
Join the Triumph of the Skies,
Universal Nature say
Christ the LORD is born to Day!
CHRIST, by highest Heav’n ador’d,
CHRIST, the Everlasting Lord,
Late in Time behold him come,
Offspring of a Virgin’s Womb.
Veil’d in Flesh, the Godhead see,
Hail th’ Incarnate Diety!
Pleas’d as Man with Men t’ appear
Jesus, our Immanuel here!
Hail the Heav’nly 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 Conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in Us the Serpent’s Head.
Now display thy saving Pow’r,
Ruin’d Nature now restore,
Now in Mystic Union join
Thine to Ours, and Ours to Thine.
Adam’s Likeness, LORD, efface,
Stamp thy Image in its Place,
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in thy Love.
Let us Thee, tho’ lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the Inner Man:
O! to All Thyself impart,
Form’d in each Believing Heart.
The term “Welkin” in the first verse is an old English term and refers to the heavens or sky. In other words, “Hark, All the heavens are singing!” This was indeed a time of rejoicing! The news was glorious! Christ the Lord is born! God and sinners reconciled! There is a wealth of theology in this great old Christmas hymn.
May He be formed in our hearts this season and always. Christmas is not about giving – it is about receiving. Receiving the Christ-child.
May you have a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.
Bill Erickson