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| Image created by Dall-E, OpenAI, 2024. |
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is one of the most beloved Christmas hymns. It celebrates the joy and wonder of Christ’s birth. It was written by Charles Wesley in 1739, about a year after his conversion. The hymn was initially a poem titled Hark, How All the Welkin Rings. The term "welkin," meaning the heavens, reflected Wesley’s poetic style. However, George Whitefield, a contemporary of Wesley, revised the lyrics to the more familiar "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," making it accessible to a broader audience. The hymn’s melody was later adapted from a composition by Felix Mendelssohn, giving it the jubilant and majestic tone we recognize today (Hymnal Companion to the Lutheran Book of Worship, 1981).
This hymn is full of rich theology and triumphantly proclaims the Incarnation—the moment God became man. The lyrics emphasize the reconciliation between God and humanity, captured in the powerful phrase, "God and sinners reconciled." This echoes 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, which speaks of Christ’s role in restoring peace between heaven and earth. Inspired by Luke 2:14, the opening line invites all creation to join the heavenly choir, glorifying God and celebrating the peace brought by the Savior’s birth.
When we sing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," we are reminded of the profound truth of Christmas: the coming of Christ brings hope, joy, and peace to a broken world. As we lift our voices alongside the angels, proclaiming the good news that God is with us, may the hymn’s joyous message inspire us to reflect on the gift of reconciliation and share Christ's peace with others.
Sources
- Josh Longanecker, “The Story Behind: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” James River Church (https://jamesriver.church/blog/story-behind-hark-herald-angels-sing/).
- “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hark!_The_Herald_Angels_Sing).
- C. Michael Hawn, “History of Hymns: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church (https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-hark-the-herald-angels-sing).
© Copyright by Kathryn Lake Hogan, 2024. All Rights Reserved.
