Hark! A Carol

Once again as I listen to the Christmas carols playing on the radio this year, I am lulled to sleep by the wonderful beauty not only of the songs but of the messages they convey. So much theology, such a complete story of Christianity, is wrapped up in these simple hymns! And it is so gratifying to hear them play on secular radio stations - what a way to get the message out!

So I am adding some here - to just celebrate their words and to add my thoughts.

"Hark! The herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinner reconciled!'
Joyful all ye nations rise!
Join the triumph of the skies!
With the angelic voice proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King!"

I think the fourth line says it all here - "God and sinner reconciled!" Why, that's not a statement about the nativity, it's a statement about the cross! It's all about WHY Jesus came to earth - not just the fact that He did. Of course, the joy of the nations sends a powerful message, too. For instance, that Jesus came for the entire world, not just for Israel. Rejoice ye earth!

"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 the Incarnate Deity!
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!"

I love the way this verse emphasizes the nature of Jesus. This is theology at its finest, and from the earliest days of Christianity. Jesus - fully God! - the Incarnate Deity! And also wholly man - a man who chooses to dwell with us!

"Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son 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
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king!"

This is my favorite verse of all! Once again we have the beautiful names for Jesus and a description of the joy he brings - light and life! But what I love is the incorporation of the Passion into the Christmas story. Here Jesus lays his Glory aside to come to earth as a man. But not only to come to earth, to die! Although the song doesn't talk about Jesus' death specifically, we know that is what it means when it says, "Born that man no more may die." It was his Passion that gave us that everlasting life.

Further, there is a kind of dual meaning of the words saying "Born that man no more may die: born to raise the sons of earth." The words speak of us - men. But they also tell the story of Jesus. He died, so that we would not have to die. And then he raised himself from the dead - and now he will raise us up as well.

This is why I love Christmas songs so much - what a wonderful opportunity to sing or talk about Jesus - and not just baby Jesus - His entire life's work! Because it all started at the Nativity!