WHAT’S ALL THE HARKING ABOUT?

The heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest!” Luke 2:14

In 1739, Charles Wesley penned “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” with Felix Mendelssohn (1740) providing its popular tune. Wesley’s carol is filled with biblical Christmas truth and theology. 

Verse one answers the question, “Why did Jesus come to earth?”  He came to be our King (Isaiah 9:6-7).  He came to reconcile men back to God. To reconcile means to thoroughly change, restore a broken, alienated relationship.  This reconciliation is available for all nations even as the angel announced to the shepherds (Luke 2:10).  Of course, it all started in Bethlehem just as Micah 5:2 prophesied!

Verse two answers the question of “Who is Jesus?”  He is Christ/Messiah, Anointed One, King (Luke 2:11) who is the everlasting Lord.  He was virgin-born (Isaiah 7:14).  He is incarnate Deity or God incased in human flesh and blood (John 1:1-2, 14) to be the mediator between Holy God and sinful man.  He is Jesus because He would “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21) and is the “name above ALL names” (Philippians 2:9) and lastly Immanuel or “God with us” experiencing all we go through yet without sin (Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:15-16).  Isn’t Jesus awesome!

Verse three answers “What does Jesus do for us?”  He brings us peace with God through His death on the cross (Romans 5:1), genuine righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), light in this world of darkness and sin (John 8:12) and everlasting life (John 3:16).  He heals us of our chronic disease of sin (Isaiah 53:5).  He sacrificed His life on the cross (Romans 5:6) so that we might be forgiven, born again (John 3:3, 7), and have resurrection hope beyond the grave (John 11:25-26).

Wow!  Wesley sure packed a ton of needed theology into one Christmas song.  Everyone needs to know who Jesus is, why He came and what He desires to do for us.  He is the only One who can save us from our sins.  No wonder the angels got so excited with their harking!

Bob Kulp