Sunday's Hymn: Hark the Herald Angel's Sing

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 the Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hail, the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris’n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

—Charles Wesley

Other hymns of worship songs for this Sunday:

• O Come, All Ye Faithful at The Happy Wonderer 

Theological Term of the Week: Essence

essence 
The being of God; what he is; also called substance, or nature. God is one essence.

• From scripture:
  

  Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV)

• From the Athanasian Creed:
  

   What quality the Father has, the Son has, and the Holy Spirit has.
          The Father is uncreated,
          the Son is uncreated,
          the Holy Spirit is uncreated.

          The Father is immeasurable,
          the Son is immeasurable,
          the Holy Spirit is immeasurable.

          The Father is eternal,
          the Son is eternal,
          the Holy Spirit is eternal.

              And yet there are not three eternal beings;
              there is but one eternal being.
              So too there are not three uncreated or immeasurable beings;
              there is but one uncreated and immeasurable being.

      Similarly, the Father is almighty,
          the Son is almighty,
          the Holy Spirit is almighty.
              Yet there are not three almighty beings;
              there is but one almighty being.

          Thus the Father is God,
          the Son is God,
          the Holy Spirit is God.
              Yet there are not three gods;
              there is but one God.

          Thus the Father is Lord,
          the Son is Lord,
          the Holy Spirit is Lord.
              Yet there are not three lords;
              there is but one Lord.

• From the Second Helvetic Confession, Chapter 3:
  

  God Is One. We believe and teach that God is one in essence or nature, subsisting in himself, all sufficient in himself, invisible, incorporeal, immense, eternal, Creator of all things both visible and invisible, the greatest good, living, quickening and preserving all things, omnipotent and supremely wise, kind and merciful, just and true….

Learn more:

1. Sinclair Ferguson: What does it mean that the Trinity is three in person but one in essence?
2. R. C. Sproul: One in Essence, Three in Person (video)

Related terms:

• person
• Trinity

Filed under Trinity

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Sunday's Hymn: Who Is This, So Weak and Helpless

Who is this so weak and helpless,
Child of lowly Hebrew maid,
Rudely in a stable sheltered,
Coldly in a manger laid?
‘Tis the Lord of all creation,
Who this wondrous path hath trod;
He is God from everlasting,
And to everlasting God.

Who is this, a Man of Sorrows,
Walking sadly life’s hard way,
Homeless, weary, sighing, weeping
Over sin and Satan’s sway?
‘Tis our God, our glorious Saviour,
Who above the starry sky
Now for us a place prepareth,
Where no tear can dim the eye.

Who is this? behold him shedding
Drops of blood upon the ground!
Who is this, despised, rejected,
Mocked, insulted, beaten, bound?
‘Tis our God, who gifts and graces
On his church now poureth down;
Who shall smite in holy vengeance
All his foes beneath his throne.

Who is this that hangeth dying
While the rude world scoffs and scorns,
Numbered with the malefactors,
Torn with nails, and crowned with thorns?
‘Tis the God who ever liveth
‘Mid the shining ones on high,
In the glorious golden city,
Reigning everlastingly.

—William W. How

Other hymns of worship songs for this Sunday:

• Angels From the Realms of Glory at The Happy Wonderer