Carol Contemplation: 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;
with th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King!"

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 th' incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King!"

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 us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King!"

Come, Desire of nations, come,
fix in us thy humble home;
rise, the woman's conquering Seed,
bruise in us the serpent's head.
Adam's likeness, Lord, efface;
stamp thine image in its place.
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in thy love.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King!"

Last year, I had already burned out by December 23rd. I had these words up, but I was done contemplating. This is such a strong, beautiful song. The words are triumphant, articulate, poignant, evocative. The music is so familiar to me that it's difficult to describe. I just hear it and everything in me says "Christmas."

"Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die." I am always amazed at the skill with which carol/hymn/song writers can infuse such ponderous ideas of theology into these simple, rhyming lines! That fourth verse is one we don't often hear or sing. But wow, check it out: 'Adan's likeness, Lord, efface; stamp thine image in its place. Second Adam from above, reinstate us in thy love." Romans 5:12–21 summed up and set to music.

As far as favorite versions go, I can't think of any off-hand except Amy Grant's off of her first Christmas album. I'm not the A.G. fan I used to be when I was ten, but there is something about a song you've listened to your whole life that becomes a part of you.