Every Christmas season, we continue the tradition of storytelling by singing carols that reflect the beauty of God's story. This week, we explore the classic hymn "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" to better understand the Christmas story and its significance.
Throughout history, God's people have used songs to celebrate and remember His mighty works. Psalm 107 encourages us to “…tell of his deeds in songs of joy!”. After God delivered Israel from Egypt, Moses and the Israelites sang a song of triumph (Exodus 15). Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying,
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. (Exodus 15:1-2)
“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11)
Similarly, David celebrated God's deliverance in 2 Samuel 22, and the return of the Ark of the Covenant was marked with song in 1 Chronicles 16. Songs help us remember and celebrate what God has done in our lives.
Songs also serve as a form of worship, expressing our gratitude and reverence for God. Psalm 40 speaks of a new song of praise that compels others to trust in the Lord.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:3)
Our worship songs affirm our beliefs and serve as a testimony to those who hear them, drawing them closer to God. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is one such song.
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" was originally written by Charles Wesley in 1739 and was later adapted by William Cummings in 1855 with a tune by Felix Mendelssohn. The hymn quickly became one of the most popular Christmas carols, known for its powerful message and beautiful melody.
The word "Hark" means "listen up" or "pay attention." This forceful introduction sets the stage for the hymn's message, urging us to heed the good news of Jesus' birth. But before Jesus' birth was announced the prophet Malachi shared a message from God. In the Book of Malachi, God promises to send a Messiah and a prophet to prepare the way
Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord [the messiah] whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)
God says, “I’m going to send a Messiah.” But even before the Messiah comes, God promises to send a prophet before Him. In Malachi 4:5-6 it says:
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
And then you know what happens next? Nothing. The book of Malachi ends, and then there’s silence for around 400 years. There is no new prophet, no Messiah, no further word from God. Just silence. But just when you think God is not doing anything, God shows up in a big way.
After 400 years of silence God sends Gabriel. In Luke 1:11-17 we read:
And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
Then God sends Gabriel to Mary, a virgin, to tell her that she’s going to have a Son, whom she will name Jesus. Luke 1:26-33 tells us of this encounter.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
These announcements broke the long silence, signaling that God's promises were about to be fulfilled. In Luke 2, angels appeared to shepherds, proclaiming the birth of Jesus and filling the sky with songs of praise. They show up saying “Hark!” “Listen up!” “Pay attention!”
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (Luke 2:8-16)
Jesus' birth was the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. He was the promised Messiah, the Son of the Most High, who would reign forever. This event was not just the birth of a baby but the arrival of God in human form, Emmanuel, "God with us."
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing proclaims the good news of Jesus' birth, urging us to join the angels in praising God. It speaks of peace on earth and the reconciliation of God and sinners through Jesus. The carol also highlights the mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming flesh to dwell among us. Jesus, the everlasting Lord, came to bring light, life, and healing to all.
Something To Think About
This Christmas season, let's not get lost in the hustle and bustle. Instead, let's focus on the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of Jesus, our Savior. Reflect on the wonder and joy of God's love for us, manifested in the birth of His Son.
Questions For Self-Reflection
1. Have I missed the true meaning of Christmas in the midst of holiday activities?
2. How can I make room in my heart to experience the wonder of Jesus' birth anew?
3. In what ways can I share the good news of Jesus with others this season?
This week, take time each day to reflect on the significance of Jesus' birth. Read the Christmas story in the Gospels, sing a Christmas carol, or spend a few moments in prayer, thanking God for His incredible gift. Let this season be a time of renewed faith and deeper understanding of God's love for you.
As we celebrate Christmas, let's remember that God is doing something greater than what we see on the surface. He invites us to be part of His story, to experience His love, and to share the good news with others. Hark! Pay attention. God is moving, and He invites us to join Him in His work. Merry Christmas!
Watch the full message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGyznqKty2I
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