Since becoming a Christian as a senior in high school, I've held a deep appreciation for many of the great, classic hymns. Those we sing at Christmas time are all the more special, not only because of the feelings and memories which which they are associated for me, but but also, like so many others, because of their profound theological content. It is unfortunate in some ways that we know these songs so well because we tend to recite them without even hearing the words anymore. Their meaning is reduced to traditional recitation because ... well ... "we always sing these songs at this time of year!"
Yet many of them hold deep, rich truths of our faith packaged up in their concise verses and are in fact a miniature theology lesson if we would take the time to reflect upon them - personally, or with our children. I hope to comment on a few here in this blog before Christmas gets here, but I'm already late getting started as there are SO MANY that say so much. So let me encourage you this season, as you sing or listen to these great traditional hymns of the season, to let your attention be drawn to the lyrics - and be blessed by them.
This year, I've been particularly taken (again) with the depth of the lyrics in the hymn / carol "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" by Charles Wesley. Each verse is powerfully laden with Biblical Truth about the nature of the Kenosis and Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Can you count the names of Christ, or His Godly "attributes" listed here? The second verse especially is one of the most profound and concise descriptions of the "Kenosis" to be found anywhere in my opinion. The "Kenosis" is the theological word given to the event of Christ "setting aside" some of his Godly attributes and "humbling" Himself to become (and remain) a human man. It is taken from the Greek word that describes this in Philippians 2:7 - often translated as "emptied" in the phrase "but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men,and by sharing in human nature."
This concept is contained in the 3rd verse also as well as the concepts of Salvation, Regeneration, Sanctification, Justification, healing, Universal Atonement, Resurrection of the Dead, the Millennial Reign, the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Kingship of Christ. We could also identify half a dozen or so attributes and names of Christ all in just the 3rd verse! It turns out all of the Wesley brothers' hymns are this powerfully packed with doctrine as they found it was a powerful way to get it across to people and have them remember it! Indeed, we remember their lessons to this day ... if we stop long enough to listen to what it is we're singing anyway.
Won't you join with me this Christmas season in really listening, appreciating, and perhaps even learning from these timeless classics we have handed down to us such as "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" ... and even better - make time to do it with your children to help them appreciate not only the wonderful traditions, beauty, and "magic" of the Christmas season, but also the "why". Reading the "Christmas Story" from Matthew or Luke is good and right and most certainly should be done. But take note that if our children only hear WHAT happened (the history part of the story) they may well still have no idea WHY it happened - the significance of the Incarnation. And while there are many excellent resources and ways to communicate this, you might also find that our favorite Christmas Hymns are in fact powerful teaching tools that our kids may even already have memorized!!
If you're not familiar with some of these concepts, I encourage you to dig in. There's lots and lots of great content to be found on the Internet (though it's sometimes difficult to separate it from the not-so-great content!), or of course I'm sure your pastor would be THRILLED to answer your questions :-). Or (shameless plug here), I'll actually be teaching a 10 week introductory course in Christian theology this January for beginners if you'd really like to dig in! (stay tuned for further details).
Grace and Peace to all in this wonderful season,
- Tim -
The following introduction was taken from http://www.carols.org.uk
“Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. A sombre man, he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics and thus “Hark the herald angels sing” was sung to a different tune initially. Over a hundred years later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald angels sing” already written by Wesley.
Lyrics:
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 the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem".
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"
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 the incarnate Deity.
Pleased as man with man to dwell: Jesus, our Emmanuel.
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, 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.
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"
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