As we celebrate the Godhead come to earth, taking on the flesh of men - the Incarnation - let us consider the rich theology found in Charles Wesley's great work,
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing(Charles Wesley, 1739)1.
Hark! The herald angels sing, (
Luke 2:10)
"Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, (
Luke 2:14;
1:78)
God and sinners reconciled!" (
2 Cor. 5:18-21;
Col. 1:20-22)
Joyful, all ye nations rise, (
Rev. 21:24;
Haggai 2:6-7)
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" (
Luke 2:10-11;
Matt. 1:4-6;
Micah 5:2)
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!" (
Matt. 2:2)
2.
Christ, by highest Heaven adored; (
Luke 2:9-14;
Rev. 5:13;
Heb.1:6)
Christ the everlasting Lord; (
Rev. 22:12-13)
Late in time, behold Him come, (
Gal. 4:4)
Offspring of a virgin’s womb. (
Matt. 1:18-23;
Luke 1:26-38)
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; (
Heb. 10:20)
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, (
John 1:14;
Rom. 1:3,
8:3;
Gal. 4:4;
Phil. 2:7-8;
Col. 1:15;
1 Tim. 3:16;
Heb. 1:3;
Heb. 2:9-11;
1 John 4:2-3;
2 John 1:7;
Rev. 22:16)
Jesus our Emmanuel. (
Isaiah 7:14;
Matt. 1:23)
3.
Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace! (
Isaiah 9:6)
Hail the Sun of Righteousness! (
Malachi 4:2)
Light and life to all He brings, (
John 1:4,
10;
John 8:12;
2 Tim. 1:10)
Ris’n with healing in His wings. (
Malachi 4:2)
Mild He lays His glory by, (
Phil. 2:6-8;
John 17:5,
24)
Born that man no more may die. (
John 11:25-26)
Born to raise the sons of earth, (
1 Cor. 15:35-57)
Born to give them second birth. (
John 1:13;
3:3-6;
James 1:18;
1 Peter 1:3,
23;
Titus 3:5)
4.
Come, Desire of nations, come, (
Haggai 2:6-7)
Fix in us Thy humble home; (
Eph. 3:17;
Rom. 8:9)
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, (
Gen. 3:15;
Rom. 16:20)
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving power, (
Heb. 7:25)
Ruined nature now restore; (
Rom. 6:6;
Eph. 4:22-24;
Col. 3:9-10;
Rom. 12:2)
Now in mystic union join, (
Eph. 5:31-32;
1 Cor. 6:17;
Rom. 6:5)
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine. (
Rom. 8:9-11;
1 Cor. 2:14-16)
5.
Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, (
Rom. 5:12-21;
1 Cor. 15:22)
Stamp Thine image in its place: (
Gen. 1:26-27;
Col. 3:10;
Eph. 4:23-24)
Second Adam from above, (
Rom. 5:12-21;
1 Cor. 15:47)
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain (
Phil. 3:8-11;
Luke 19:10)
Thee, the Life, the inner man: (
John 14:6;
1 John 5:11-12;
Eph. 3:16;
2 Cor. 4:16;
1 Pet. 3:4)
O, to all Thyself impart, (
Jer. 31:34;
Habakkuk 2:14;
Phil. 3:8-11)
Formed in each believing heart. (
Gal. 4:19;
Rom. 8:29;
Eph. 4:24;
Col. 1:27;
3:10)
(HT:
Joyful Heart)