Episode 94. Advent 4: The Theology of Hark the Herald Angels Sing

This is the third podcast in our Advent 2023 series. Did you miss the third one about “Joy to the World”? You can watch it here.

Summary

As we close out the season of advent, we reflect upon the theme of love. Acts of love quickly come to mind at Christmas in the form of acts of service, but it is the meaning within the birth of Christ and His eventual death on the cross the epitomizes this theme.One carol that echo’s Christ’s love is found within the classic, Hark the Harold Angels Sing. Written by Charles Wesley, the brother to the famed John Westley, we are greating with the joyous reality that the birth (and eventual death & resurrection) of Christ reconciles all believers to God. Earth and man once weighed down by sin can now “rise” and join the heavens in
praising the arrival of the newborn King, foretold in Micah 5:2.

We then immerse ourselves in the purpose of the divine conception. Inquisitive little minds often wonder why Christ has to be born of a virgin, and here we learn that the power of the Holy Spirit was necessary to bring about the Savior capable of atoning for our sins. But couldn’t God just forgive everyone of their sins without the need of a Savior? Nope! God’s just nature requires
atonement and that could only be found in Christ, which we see echoed in reference to Malachi 4: 1-3, found in verse 3.

Finally, parents are encourage to reflect on what Christ’s incarnation says about who we are as a people, our value and worth. When we have a proper understanding of who we are in Christ then
we are less likely to be swayed by the false gospels of secular ideology.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Main Points Covered

• The history and theology of Hark the Herald Angels Sing
• Questions your kids may ask because of this song.
• How an understanding of the theology of this carol can help us protect ourselves and our kids from the lies of Satan and the culture
• Questions to consider in light of the truths of this carol:
  • Who’s are you?
  • Who does Christ say that you are?
  • How did He show His love for you?
  • What does that act say about your worth?
  • What does His sacrifice mean for your purpose in life?
  • What are some ways you can start to live out this purpose?

People and Resources Mentioned

• Micah 5:2
• Matthew 2:1-12
• Isaiah 7:14
• Luke 1:27
• Romans 5:15–19
• Malachi 4:1-3
• Isaiah 60:1-3
• Zachariah 14:4
• John 3
• Ephesians 2:8-9
• Gotquestions.org

Unfamiliar Vocabulary

• Enmity: the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
• Hypostatic Union: the union of Christ’s humanity and divinity in one individual personhood.
• Sun of Righteousness: Direct reference to Malachi 4:1-3. This term highlights both God’s grace and Justice.

Quotable Quotes

“Our culture today is doing its very best to distort the Gospel in any way, shape or form. And one of the ways it does that is by attacking who we are and trying to invalidate what Christ has done for us.” – Amy Davison

Episode 94. Advent 4: The Theology of Hark the Herald Angels Sing
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“Our purpose is to serve God and bring others to him.” – Amy Davison

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