Except that in the Bible, the angels were not singing, they were “saying”. But let us not let facts get in the way.
Only one Christmas hymn brings a lump to me throat, and a tear to me eyes - “Silent Night”!
Gets me every time.
*”Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”* (IMO) is a masterpiece, but it shalt not ever be equal to, nor exceed, the standards set forth by the GREATEST NATIVTY HYMN OF ALL TIME ...
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Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, All is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so Tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Silent night, holy night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light!
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King!
Christ the Saviour is here,
Jesus the Saviour is here!
Silent night, Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord at thy birth;
Jesus Lord at thy birth.
Everybody is entitled to my opinion.
Only one other song gets me emo, and that is ‘Amazing Grace’. [the end result of being at far too many funerals]
Christians, Awake!
(John Byrom & John Wainwright, 1750)
Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Savior of the world was born.
Rise to adore the mystery of love
Which hosts of angels chanted from above,
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate and the virgin’s son.
Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard the angelic herald’s voice, Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Savior’s birth
To you and all the nations of the earth;
This day hath God fulfilled His promised Word;
This day is born a Savior, Christ the Lord.
He spoke; and straightaway the celestial choir
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire;
The praises of redeeming love they sang,
And Heaven’s whole orb with hallelujahs rang.
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace on the earth and unto men good will.
To Bethlehem straight the enlightened shepherds ran
To see the wonder God had wrought for man
And found, with Joseph and the blessed maid,
Her son, the Savior, in a manger laid;
Then to their flocks, still praising God, return,
And their glad hearts with holy rapture burn.
Like Mary let us ponder in our mind
God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind!
Trace we the babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From His poor manger to His bitter cross,
Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace,
Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place.
Then may we hope, th’angelic hosts among,
To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song.
He that was born upon this joyful day
Around us all His glory shall display.
Saved by His love, incessantly we sing
Eternal praise to Heav’n’s almighty king.