1. Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king;
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all you nations, rise;
join the triumph of the skies;
with angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Refrain:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king!"
2. Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail, incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Refrain:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king!"
3. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king!"
3. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise each child of earth,
born to give us second birth.
Refrain:
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king!"
---------------------
On the calendar of lesser festivals and commemorations, the 27th of December is dedicated to John, Apostle and Evangelist. In John's telling of the story of Jesus, the Spirit, life, light and new birth all contribute to understanding the "word made flesh". The Spirit descends on Jesus at his baptism and is breathed onto the disciples after the resurrection. Jesus is described as the light of the world, and he brings life in abundance. A second birth through the Spirit is promised to those whom Jesus came to save.
Those themes were captured by Charles Wesley in the third verse of his much loved hymn, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." The incarnation of Jesus opens to you a world of possibilities. The Spirit gives life to you. Born anew you can bring light where darkness dominates. Born anew you can speak grace where judgement rules. Born anew you can bring healing where ill will and divisions flourish. All made possible because of a baby born in Bethlehem those many years ago.
Spirit of God, open for me this day your many gifts, courage, grace, strength, new life, joy and light. Amen.
Sherman Bishop
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Westlake, Ohio
Master of Divinity , 1980
---------------------
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king!"
---------------------
On the calendar of lesser festivals and commemorations, the 27th of December is dedicated to John, Apostle and Evangelist. In John's telling of the story of Jesus, the Spirit, life, light and new birth all contribute to understanding the "word made flesh". The Spirit descends on Jesus at his baptism and is breathed onto the disciples after the resurrection. Jesus is described as the light of the world, and he brings life in abundance. A second birth through the Spirit is promised to those whom Jesus came to save.
Those themes were captured by Charles Wesley in the third verse of his much loved hymn, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." The incarnation of Jesus opens to you a world of possibilities. The Spirit gives life to you. Born anew you can bring light where darkness dominates. Born anew you can speak grace where judgement rules. Born anew you can bring healing where ill will and divisions flourish. All made possible because of a baby born in Bethlehem those many years ago.
Spirit of God, open for me this day your many gifts, courage, grace, strength, new life, joy and light. Amen.
Sherman Bishop
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Westlake, Ohio
Master of Divinity , 1980
---------------------
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