With the Jelly Host

Has anyone asked you lately to name your favorite Christmas carol?  When asked that question, I always have a hard time answering.  Probably because I can't pick just one favorite! 

One of my most favorite Christmas carols is "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".  I have loved that carol for as long as I can remember.  Even as a small child this was a favorite carol.  Although back then I didn't get all the words exactly right.  I have been told that, as a very young child, I sang with great enthusiasm, "with the jelly host proclaim........"

Now, in my defense, as a 3-year old I probably didn't understand much about the angelic host.  And small children don't always correctly pronounce all the "big" words.  A few years ago one of my grandsons shared a Bible verse (Psalm 19:1) this way:  "The heavens declare the glory of God and the furniture sheweth His handiwork."

Somewhere along the way, I got the words right! And in all the years since, when asked to name my favorite carol, this one has always made the list. 

I love the music.  No surprise there, since Mendelssohn is one of my favorite composers.

But even more I love the words of the carol.  I love the clear presentation of Biblical doctrine in poetic text. And I love how Wesley has so masterfully summarized the very reason we have Christmas in just a few words......"God and sinners reconciled" and "born that man no more may die."  That's the reason Jesus came in the first place!  To make a way for sinful man to be reconciled to Holy God!  God and sinners reconciled - that's the real meaning of Christmas!

 

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

 

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 angelic hosts proclaim "Christ is born in Bethlehem."

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 the incarnate Deity!

Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel.

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

 

Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace; Hail the Son of Righteousness.

Light and life to all He brings, Risen 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.

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

 

-Charles Wesley