Late on a sleepy, star-spangled night, those angels peeled back the sky just like you would tear open a sparkling Christmas present. Then, with light and joy pouring out of Heaven like water through a broken dam, they began to shout and sing the message that baby Jesus had been born. The world had a Savior! The angels called it ‘Good News,’ and it was.”
–Larry Libby
“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.”
–Micah 4:2 (NIV)
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Since we are through with the Psalms and other songs found in the Holy Writ, I thought it might be appropriate to use a well-known hymn written by Charles Wesley. A couple of things before contemplating the words of this great carol. First, Wesley was a prolific hymn writer who wrote about sixty-five hundred hymns, many of which we still sing today. He committed his heart to the Lord in 1738 and began his ministry of preaching and the writing of these songs. When we read his hymns we see them full of rich scriptural teaching. The second thing is a question: do angels sing? Dare to find a verse in the Bible that states that angels sing. It may be implied when it says the heavenly host praised God in Luke 2. But praising doesn’t necessarily mean singing. Could it be that singing in heaven is reserved for God and His family? Just a thought–don’t make a doctrine of it. Now to look at Wesley’s hymn.
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 th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
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, th’ incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun 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.
Come, Desire of nations, come! Fix in us Thy humble home:
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring seed, bruise in us the serpent’s head;
Adam’s likeness now efface, stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above, reinstate us in Thy love.
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”
Second Adam, the woman’s conquering seed, our Emmanuel are just a few of the great doctrinal points mentioned. We see Wesley ministering through his wonderful writing skills. With that thought, know this–we all are what Paul calls “living letters.” People read the gospel of Christ by what we say, act, and do. Some may do it through song, others through preaching, while others may write, but with all of our talents the greatest message is our lives.
“Jesus is not only the Son but also the Sun. The Sun of Righteousness brings not only light but life.” (William Petersen) He is the light of the world. And look up during this Christmas season. Look up in the day to see the Sun knowing that righteousness is brought by the Son. Look up at night and think of that day long ago when the angels appeared to the shepherds outside that little village to herald forth the Light of God coming into the world. Ponder the words of Psalm 103:20-21, “Praise the LORD, you angels of his, you mighty creatures who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!” (NLT)