Christmas Music

[Nick M]

It is never a bad time for Christmas music. Take a break from the debate and listen to your favorites.

I have this one on my ipod Christmas playlist. I don't pay subscriptions. Most of what I post is on that playlist.

 

[Nick M]

 

[Nick M]

 

[JudgeRightly]

Phil Wickam has been putting out Christmas music for the past few weeks:

Phil Wickham

Phil Wickham is a GRAMMY® nominated, Dove Award winning artist & leader in the modern worship movement, having penned countless songs sung in churches around the world. “Battle Belongs” & “House Of The Lord,” both RIAA Gold®-certified singles, topped the Christian radio charts at No. 1 along...

youtube.com

 

[Nick M]

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 Sun 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!”

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Emphasis mine.

Charles Wesley[/B] penned a Christmas hymn titled “Hark How All the Welkin Rings” for his and brother John’s collection, Hymns and Sacred Poems. The opening line referenced the “welkin,” an old English word for the sky or heavens, ringing with joyful praise for the newborn king. First published under the title “Hymn for Christmas Day”, the somber, sober tune paired with the hymn of 10 stanzas failed to gain much traction. Over the next decades, Wesley’s hymn underwent various tweaks and changes by other editors, much to the dismay of the protective Wesley brothers.

In 1753, famed preacher George Whitefield reworked the first line to the familiar “Hark! the herald angels sing.” This marked a pivotal change in the carol’s evolution.

Beyond just replacing the archaic “welkin”, Whitefield’s adjustment shifted the perspective. Wesley’s initial focus was heaven’s chorus glorifying the newborn king. Whitefield reframed it to imagine humanity joining the angelic praise. His version invited singers to lift their voices alongside the herald refrain.