THE SOUL is shaped by words, images, & experiences.

THIS BLOG is about those things that have left their impression on me. I'd love for you to comment on what affects you.
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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Born that Man No More May Die

Children from Bible Baptist Church in Athens


One Christmas tradition I particularly love is the singing of Christmas carols. My favorite is Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The words are so exquisite in their depth and reality, they always move me to tears. Consider the lyrics:

HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn 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 hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ, by highest heav'n 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 dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Ris'n 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!"

Come, Desire of Nations, come! Fix in us Thy humble home:
Rise, the woman's conq'ring seed, Bruise in us the serpent's head.
Adam's likeness now efface, Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love.
Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Which is your favorite carol? Any stanzas especially move you?

1 comment:

Lori said...

I have so many favorites, I don't know where to start... Lately, I've been enjoying Christina Rosetti's "In the Bleak Midwinter". The words are lovely and the music haunting.

"In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart."