Speaking of the angels and their song makes us think of Charles Wesley's hymn for Christmas day. He wrote it in 1735 and revised it in 1743. It has found its way into many hymnals and has been so inseparably associated with Mendelssohn's melody which bears his name as to make it stand out as one of the greatest of the favorite hymns for the Christmas time. Beautiful as are the words, we cannot help feeling that the music of the great master, Mendelssohn, has done much to sing into the hearts of multitudes of Christians the beautiful Christmas message of the great Methodist hymn writer.
Wesley's hymn for Christmas day "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
Hark! the herald-angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise.
Join the triumph of the skies;
Universal Nature, say,
Christ the Lord is born today!
Christ, by highest heaven 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 men to appear,
Jesus, our Immanuel, here!
Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace,
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and Hfe to all He brings,
Risen with heahng 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;
O, to all Thy self impart.
Formed in each believing heart!
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