The Darkness Will End
"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:22-23
The Christmas hymn, “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” was first published in 1739, a song that has been treasured by worshippers over all these years. It’s a hymn needed today as it was in the 18th century.
It was written in a time when the European cultural was fast rejecting orthodox Christianity and the prominent Church of England had replaced much of its theological strength with a stagnant faith. Spineless churches with powerless faith were preaching a worthless gospel in the 18th and 19th centuries. Christ was being preached not as God in the flesh, but as a mere human with great qualities.
In the midst of this dark time, revival was stirring in the hearts of Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, John and Charles Wesley, and others. Their work was the seedbed of our modern evangelical movement.
It was during the 18th and 19th centuries that many of the cherished Christmas hymns were written because of the weakness of Christianity and the emptiness of the preaching.
We need a revival of these great Christmas hymns in the 21st century! We now find America in even worst shape theologically than in any previous century. Our country is filled with spineless churches holding to a powerless faith, preaching a worthless gospel!
As we sang “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” in church last Sunday, I mentioned how powerfully written it was and how it exalted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It was songs like this that sparked a great move of God on two Continents 250 years ago.
In our modern age, Americans are culturally decorated for Christmas, but not culturally devoted to Christ. We have a Christmas culture that can do nothing to rid us of our fear, anxiety, depression, and anger. But when we become a Christ cultural again, that’s when our fears, anxieties and anger are exposed to His light. And that’s when life begins!
Let’s remember as we move through this important season that Christmas announces Christ is Lord over all creation. And His birth, death, and resurrection reminds us that the darkness will end, because He is the light of the world. There is hope!
I close with challenging you to meditate on the power lyrics of “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” and see how it’s theology brings Christmas alive in your heart.
Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of the Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see
Hail, th’ incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
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 them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Dave
The Christmas hymn, “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” was first published in 1739, a song that has been treasured by worshippers over all these years. It’s a hymn needed today as it was in the 18th century.
It was written in a time when the European cultural was fast rejecting orthodox Christianity and the prominent Church of England had replaced much of its theological strength with a stagnant faith. Spineless churches with powerless faith were preaching a worthless gospel in the 18th and 19th centuries. Christ was being preached not as God in the flesh, but as a mere human with great qualities.
In the midst of this dark time, revival was stirring in the hearts of Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, John and Charles Wesley, and others. Their work was the seedbed of our modern evangelical movement.
It was during the 18th and 19th centuries that many of the cherished Christmas hymns were written because of the weakness of Christianity and the emptiness of the preaching.
We need a revival of these great Christmas hymns in the 21st century! We now find America in even worst shape theologically than in any previous century. Our country is filled with spineless churches holding to a powerless faith, preaching a worthless gospel!
As we sang “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” in church last Sunday, I mentioned how powerfully written it was and how it exalted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It was songs like this that sparked a great move of God on two Continents 250 years ago.
In our modern age, Americans are culturally decorated for Christmas, but not culturally devoted to Christ. We have a Christmas culture that can do nothing to rid us of our fear, anxiety, depression, and anger. But when we become a Christ cultural again, that’s when our fears, anxieties and anger are exposed to His light. And that’s when life begins!
Let’s remember as we move through this important season that Christmas announces Christ is Lord over all creation. And His birth, death, and resurrection reminds us that the darkness will end, because He is the light of the world. There is hope!
I close with challenging you to meditate on the power lyrics of “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” and see how it’s theology brings Christmas alive in your heart.
Christ, by highest heaven adored
Christ, the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of the Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see
Hail, th’ incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
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 them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Dave
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