The classic Christmas hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” powerfully proclaims the meaning of Christmas through its rich theology. Written in 1739 by Charles Wesley, one of the founders of the Methodist movement, this hymn has become one of the most beloved songs of the Advent and Christmas seasons.
The opening line encapsulates the excitement and wonder of the angel’s announcement to the shepherds on that first Christmas night:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”
This king referenced is none other than Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Savior. The angels announce his glory because, in his birth, God himself has come in human form (Philippians 2:6-7). The “newborn King” reminds us of the prophecies foretelling that the Messiah would be born into the lineage of King David (Isaiah 9:6-7). Yet Jesus’ kingship is unlike any other – his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).
The second verse continues praising the divine mystery of the incarnation – God becoming man:
Christ, by highest heav’n 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 as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
These profound words recall the glorious truth that through the virgin birth, Jesus Christ – everlasting Lord and second person of the Trinity – put on human flesh to enter the world he created. The name “Immanuel” quotes Isaiah 7:14, meaning “God with us.” In awe of this holy mystery, we can only cry “Hail!” and worship Christ, both fully God and fully man.
The hymn concludes by pointing to the purpose behind Christ’s birth – that we might be born again into his kingdom:
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris’n with healing in his wings.
Mild 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.
Jesus is hailed as the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) and “Son of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2), reminding us he came to bring reconciliation between God and humanity. The declaration that “Light and life to all he brings” echoes John’s description of Christ as “the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). With “healing in his wings,” we see a hint of the redemptive work Christ would accomplish on the cross, bearing our griefs and carrying our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4).
Most glorious of all, his birth signifies victory over death, that through faith in Christ, we may die to sin and be reborn as children of God (John 1:12-13). As the hymn exclaims, Christ came “Born that man no more may die/Born to give them second birth.” Our Savior humbled himself, setting aside his heavenly glory to redeem us and bring us into God’s family. This incredible truth is the very heart of Christmas.
Josh Cehulik 