Announcements & Reflection Verse

Opening:  Angels From the Realms of Glory & Angels We Have Heard on High

Reading: during the Bible verse quietly play during the Bible verse quietly play Hark the Herald 

Congregation: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Grace Giving:  Hope of Israel (Steve & Karen) 

Congregation: Away in a Manger (Forever Amen)

Message

Closing: Immanuel From the Squalor

A Reflection on “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Today, as we lift our voices in “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” we join a song that has echoed through generations — a hymn that captures both the wonder of heaven and the joy of earth at the birth of Christ, a hymn that proclaims the gospel.

The words were written in 1739 by Charles Wesley and celebrates the birth of Christ as the reconciliation of sinners to God.  Wesley originally began the carol with the line, “Hark! how all the welkin rings,” — “welkin” meaning “the heavens.” It was his friend George Whitefield who later revised the opening to the familiar words we know today: “Hark! the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.”

More than a century later, composer Felix Mendelssohn wrote the triumphant melody that carries Wesley’s words so beautifully. Together, the text and tune became the version of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” we know and love.

The carol is filled with theology and joy — proclaiming the miracle of God and sinners reconciled, and the wonder of the Incarnation — God Himself taking on human flesh to dwell among us. Every verse declares the glory of Christ: the newborn King, the everlasting Lord, the Prince of Peace.

The angels’ song is a reminder of God’s sovereignty, His mercy, and His fulfillment of prophecy: Christ is born to save His people from their sins. When we sing this carol, we’re doing more than remembering the angels’ song over Bethlehem — we’re joining in it. We become part of that same heavenly chorus, proclaiming the good news that Christ is born, that peace has come, and that God’s love has drawn near to us.

So as we sing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” today, let our hearts rise in worship with the angels, giving glory to the newborn King.

Instrumentalists playing:  Read Psalm 67
May God be merciful and bless us.
May his face smile with favor on us.
May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere.
May the nations praise you, O God.  Yes, may all the nations praise you.
Let the whole world sing for joy, because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world.
May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you
Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us.
Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him.