© 2023 Don Pinson | [Download]
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So often, at this time of year, we sing Christmas carols in our churches or at family gatherings. Some have melodies which raise our emotions to the heights. Others woo us into quiet meditations on the deep meaning of Jesus’ entry into this world and what His invasion into human flesh really means to us. But the carol that does both those things for me—is Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Written by the great song-writing revivalist, Charles Wesley, the revelation in this hymn of what Christ did for us is astounding! Take a journey with me as we attempt to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us what Jesus did for us. Wesley wrote:
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild– God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn 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 Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings (as the natural sun brings light and life to the natural realm, the S-u-n Whom the Father sent brings “light and life” to our souls!), Ris’n with healing in His wings (He brings healing to our spirit, soul, and body!).
Mild (or peacefully) 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. (He wants to birth us into the Father’s kingdom, and “raise” us to sit in the heavenly places in Him as Ephesians 2:6 tells us. Small wonder we’re stirred to sing:)
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
But the last verse is the one that inspires me the most!! Listen to what it says!
Come, Desire of Nations, come! (All nations desire a Deliverer Who can save us from our own selfishness and from satan! Then Wesley cries,) Fix in us Thy humble home (Ah, the original purpose of God: That He might get to live in us and express Himself through us as Genesis 1:26 teaches!):
Rise, the woman’s conq’ring Seed (He is that Seed of woman that has conquered satan and all his hosts! The Devil has no claim on us or power over us who know Christ as Lord!!), bruise in us the serpent’s head (We now want satan’s work stopped in us!).
Adam’s likeness now efface (wipe out the image of the “old man”), Stamp Thine image in its place (Shape us into the image of Christ which Romans 8:29 talks about):
Second Adam from above (1 Corinthians 15:47 declares Jesus to be the “second Man”), reinstate us in Thy love. (This is what Jesus was sent to do: John 3:16 tells us that “…God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” No wonder Wesley concludes with the rousing refrain:)
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”
No need for despair in this day of growing darkness; we have a Deliverer Who is Lord of all!
Think about it; because if you don’t, someone else will do your thinking for you—and for your children! And you won’t like what that brings to you. I’m Don Pinson; this has been Think About It.