Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Charles Wesley's timeless Christmas hymn

On behalf of all the writers and editors of Heavenly Chant, Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year to you all! We are very grateful for your continued support over this past year, and as we approach the one year anniversary of Heavenly Chant, we pray that God continues to guide our mission to promote and spread Gregorian Chant and traditional sacred music and art. While today is the Octave Day of Christmas, the Christmas season will continue for several more weeks, so we hope that you enjoy the following on Charles Wesley’s beautiful carol.

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Charles Wesley was one of the most prolific hymn writers in history. A cradle Anglican who helped found Methodism, Wesley’s hymns have received well-deserved fame throughout the centuries, being sung in practically all Christian denominations today, including in the Catholic Church. Each of his almost seven thousand hymns conveys a sacredness and solemnity that has become rare in modern hymnody.

Although he was not a Catholic, many—if not most—of Wesley’s hymns do not contradict Catholic teaching; his glorious Christmas carol “Hark! The Harald Angels Sing” is no exception to this. The carol, written in 1739, was one of Charles’ first fifty hymns to be published. The original words began, “Hark how all the welkin rings, Glory to the King of Kings!” The editor suggested that the line be changed to what it is today, a change that John Wesley (Charles’ brother) approved. The edit helped give the hymn a timelessness, as the original wording would sound very archaic to modern ears.

The Christmas hymn is quite triumphant and recalls the angels who appeared to the shepherds in the Bethlehem fields to announce the birth of Christ. The lyrics are theologically profound, and while they are well-known, I think it is nonetheless worth copying them here for deeper reflection. Below the lyrics is a beautiful recording by the choir of the Dominican House of Studies.

Merry Christmas, and may God bless you all!

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

Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"

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 Godhead see;
hail th'incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel. [Refrain]

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 we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth. [Refrain]