Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

What if the greatest Christmas carols weren't written intentionally for Christmas at all? This exploration invites us into a fascinating discovery: God's song of redemption rings throughout all of creation, echoing through unexpected voices across time. From the Beatles' 'Here Comes the Sun' to Charles Wesley's profound 'Hark! How All the Welkin Rings,' we find that prophets, poets, and even reluctant participants like Jonah couldn't help but speak words that pointed toward Christ's coming. The prophets Isaiah and Malachi spoke of light dawning in darkness and the 'sun of righteousness' rising with healing in its rays—themes that resonate through centuries of music and poetry. This message reminds us that we live in a world saturated with God's story, where heaven and earth ('the welkin') ring together in celebration of the King of Kings. The challenge for us isn't just to hear these familiar carols playing in the background of our lives, but to truly listen—to recognize where God is breaking into our reality and intentionally join in. We're not passive observers but active carolers in God's cosmic story, invited to watch for healing, welcome strangers, and participate in the triumph of the sky. As apprentices of Jesus, we're called to shift our perspective from seeing ourselves as the main character to recognizing Christ as the center of the story, with our lives as subplots that advance His redemptive work.

This Week:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing