HARK THE HEROLD

ANGELS SINGBy Alexis Wagner

Parker McCoart Aaron Woodlee

DEVELOPED The song first appeared in 1739 in the

collection Hymns and Sacred Poems, having been written by Charles Wesley.

Wesley’s original words were “Hark, how the welkin (heaven) rings”

SIGNIFICANCE AND HISTORY The meaning of the song is

specifically praising God for sending his son down to earth.

When the song begins the angels are announcing Christ's birth. When it says God and sinners reconciled it is talking about the real purpose of the incarnation which is to reconcile man to God.

SIGNIFICANCE AND HISTORY CONT. In the second verse it tells a

little more about Christ: He is God, He is eternal, He came from a virgin, and He willingly lowered himself to manhood. Emmanuel means God with us. So when it says Jesus our Emmanuel it means Jesus God with us.

SIGNIFICANCE AND HISTORY CONT.

The third verse reaches a triumphant crescendo: Again claiming that Jesus was first from heaven and then born on earth. Again telling of Jesus's purpose to be the salvation of mankind.

SIGNIFICANCE AND HISTORY CONT. The 4 lines near the end:

Mild he lays his glory by born that no man no more may die

born to raise the sons of earth born to give us second birth.

This means that Jesus willingly was stripped of his divinity

That the purpose of his birth was to stop the cycle of death caused by Adam and eves sin, and that Jesus was born so that we could be born again in him.

ANGEL CONNECTION An angel appeared in the sky to

announce Christ's birth, and shortly thereafter was joined by a huge amount of other angels singing out praises: "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men'" (Luke 2:13-14).