The Best of Six Thousand? 

   Charles Wesley wrote over six thousand hymn texts, but Hark! the Herald Angels Sing may be his best...according to commentaries in our "One Year Book of Hymns."

   This carol is filled with scriptural ideas that could be explored for weeks. The last three lines focus on why Jesus came: 

Born that man no more may die,

Born to raise the sons of earth,

Born to give them second birth.

   The first stanza:

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 host proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"