Charles Wesley’s well-loved carol was first published in 1739 under the title, ‘Hymn for Christmas Day’. The tune we most associate with it was written by German composer Felix Mendelssohn in 1840. It’s a triumphant tune that fits the triumphant poetry. Small wonder it’s generally the concluding carol in a traditional festival of nine lessons and carols.
Like many hymns of its age, ‘Hark! The herald angels sing’ has undergone revision through the years, perhaps most notably by George Whitefield who, in 1753, gave us the opening line that has become the carol’s title. However, the first line in Wesley’s original text was, ‘Hark how all the welkin rings’.
The welkin referred to the arch of the sky and the heavens; it was the place where God lived. The birth of Christ was an event in which the whole of creation responded in praise to the Creator.
The Incarnation story, reflected in this beautiful carol, reminds us that God has chosen to make his dwelling with us, laying his glory aside in order that he can share life with us.
Wesley invites us each to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation. Jesus comes in human frailty in order that ‘God and sinners [be] reconciled’. There is so much rich theology in that short phrase.
Drawing on Colossians 1:19–20, Wesley picks up the theme of reconciliation both here in verse 1 and, again, at the end of verse 2: ‘Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel’.
Wesley’s hymn celebrates the mystery of Christ’s incarnation without attempting to explain it. The fullness of God is present in the infant Jesus. However, we are not just confronted with the mystery; we are invited to find our place in the story.
The whole of creation sings its praises to God. This is a cosmic event that demands personal response. Wesley’s original text contains verses that are not in song The Salvation Army Song Book, but are worth reflecting on as we consider the call to Christian holiness:
Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface/Stamp thy image in its place,
Second Adam from above/Reinstate us in thy love.
May we each discover again the possibilities of reconciliation with God through Jesus this Christmas. God has become one of us in order that we might become like him. May that be our prayer as we join our praise with the praise of all creation.
