"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

In the little book of Micah, written several hundred years before Jesus was born, we read this beautiful prophecy:  "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."

HARK!!  The Angels are trying to get our attention!  Are we listening for their heavenly music announcing the birth of the Newborn King?  Let's listen to the thrilling words written by Charles Wesley, and the beautiful melody by the master composer, Felix Mendelssohn.

Like many of Charles Wesley's more than 6,500 hymns, this text clearly presents Biblical doctrine in poetic language.  The first stanza describes the song of the angels outside Bethlehem, with an invitation to join them in praise of Christ.  The following verses present the truths of the virgin birth, Christ's deity, the immortality of the soul, the new birth, and a prayer for the transforming power of Christ in our lives.

     "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 angelic hosts proclaim, 'Christ is born in Bethlehem'!

      Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the virgin's womb.
      Veiled in flesh the  God-head see; hail the incarnate Deity --
Pleased as man with men to dwell; Jesus, our Emmanuel.

      Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!  Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings -- risen 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!  Are you listening?  The herald angels are singing -- let's join them! 
                  "GLORY to the new-born KING"!