Charlie Brown had the right idea. Charged with the task of obtaining a tree for the Christmas play, good ol’ Chuck, tired of all the commercialism, selected the least impressive tree in the entire lot. It also happened to be the only live tree. Another Charles, Mr. Wesley, also appreciated the hidden glory in a tiny Christmas life. He painted his classic carol, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing upon the backdrop of the humility of the Almighty Christ.
Christ by highest heaven adored was pleased to dwell as man among men. Mildly laying His glory by, He may have been the smallest of men on earth, but He was also, like Charlie’s tree, the only one living. In fact, Charles Wesley’s original hymn ends with a verse thanking God for the reinstatement of life to man by the Second Adam. Wesley’s original wording was, “Hark, how all the welkin rings, Glory to the King of kings!” The idea is that the skies ring like a bell in praise and adoration of this tiny child to whom no earthly attention is paid.
Finally, when an exasperated Charlie Brown exclaims that he just can’t stand it anymore, Linus begins the Gospel recitation that has become an icon of clarity amidst a world of confusion. The true meaning of Christmas is easy to miss even in the middle of a nativity if we’re not careful to place Christ in His rightful place of supremacy. He was only tiny when viewed with earthly eyes. Praise God for hymns like Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, which keep His true majesty on our hearts and minds. How fitting it is that Wesley’s carol is the one that Charlie and the gang sing to give all praise and glory and honor to the rightful center of our Christmas celebrations.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies
With th’angelic host proclaim:
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King!
Christ, by highest heav’n adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold Him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
risen with healing in His wings,
Mild He lays His glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give them second birth.