Charles Wesley

Prolific hymn-writer Charles Wesley (brother of John who began the Methodist Church) wrote the original words to 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' in 1739. The writing marked the one-year anniversary of his conversion. The carol was published that year in a book called Hymns and Sacred Poems. The first two lines were: "Hark, how all the welkin rings/Glory to the king of kings.” Then, in 1753, Wesley's friend and co-worker George Whitfield changed those lines to the ones we know today: "Hark! The herald angels sing/glory to the newborn king."

Hymn History: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

December 14, 2022
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" tells the story of an event recorded in the Bible after Jesus Christ was born. On the first Christmas, an angel appeared in the sky...
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Do You Have A Favorite Hymn?

July 24, 2018
We were in the middle of a service several weeks ago when a fine young man leaned over and asked me, "Do you have a favorite hymn?" I did not...