The theme for today’s devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah is ”Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
SCRIPTURE: But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.-Philippians 2:7
Charles Wesley, the “Sweet Psalmist of Methodism,” wrote a Christmas carol in 1739, which he titled, “Hark, How All the Welkin Rings.” The word welkin was an old term for the “vault of heaven,” but it didn’t connect with people. Thankfully, in 1753, Charles’ friend, George Whitefield published a hymnal and changed the title of the song to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
Multiple other changes to the lyrics have occurred since Charles first penned the carol, but it is still credited to him, one of thousands of hymns that he wrote during his lifetime.
It’s especially thrilling every time we get to verse 2 of the song because of that inspiring line saying, “Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’ incarnate Deity.” That’s a powerful affirmation the Jesus Christ, the Babe in the manger, was the Eternal God Himself. He was “born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.”
Christ’s absence from His heavenly home and presence in a stable in Bethlehem is history’s greatest mystery—the cause of the first and all subsequent Christmases. All we know is what the apostle Paul tells us: that Christ came to earth “in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7). What a glorious condescension was His leaving His home to come to earth! The fact that He would leave the glory of His heavenly home and make His home on earth for our sakes … that is the heart of the Gospel. And that is what makes it possible for us to look forward to our own heavenly home with Him in the future. What a glorious reason to rejoice!
With Christmas just a week away, pause today to rejoice in Christ’s birth as the angels did. Together thank God for the birth of Christ that first Christmas. Praise Him for the salvation He freely gives us and for the joy we have because of Him. Write a poem expressing the joy you have because of Christ’s coming to earth as a baby.
Hail, the heav’n-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 we 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.”
Credit: Turning Point Ministries