A few years ago I noticed the words to Hark, the Herald Angels Sing as if I’d never heard the song before. Since then I’ve decided that it is my favorite carol because of its rich language and deep theology. Here are the words from the second verse that jumped out at me the first time I really listened to the carol.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
I often prefer the second and third verses of famous hymns. They may be no better than first verses, but they are less familiar and more likely to grab my attention.
Merry Christmas everyone.
The very original words to the first verse:
Hark, how all the welkin* rings,
“Glory to the King of kings;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
Universal nature say,
“Christ the Lord is born to-day!”
* welkin: the vault of heaven, firmament.
See: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SongToTheLamb/message/657