“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

When Charles Wesley wrote “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” in 1739, he had the angels proclaim: “Glory to the newborn King; peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

And what did Wesley think should be the consequences of that message? “Joyful, all ye
nations, rise.” The Prince of Peace had come.
“Light and life to all he brings.”

“Born that we no more may die; born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!”

When Wesley wrote that hymn, England was going through a desperate, hopeless time. Unemployment, poverty, illness, alcoholism and crime were widespread. Wesley and his brother, John, believed the answer for their nation was Christ’s life-changing message. Changed lives would bring a changed nation.

Wesley’s Christmas song rang true: “Light and life to all he brings.” Some historians have written that England didn’t have a revolution (as did France) mainly because of the message the Wesleys preached and sang.