The beautiful baritone voice of Nat King Cole is one of my best Christmas carol memories. I’ve listened to his carols and songs of Christmas since I was a very young child. Well known for his rendition of ‘The Christmas Song,’ his voice seems blessed with the ability to bring a sense of the divine to the wonderful old Christmas carols. Instead of jingle-jangles and merriment, which I enjoy also, I always choose first those old, sweet songs that bring me a sense of reverence and awe for the newborn King.

“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe—” ~Hebrews 12:28

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born 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.”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
*
Christ, by highest heaven adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favoured one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th’incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
*
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 man no more may die:
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King !”

~Charles Wesley (1739)