Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!

14-point star in the nativity grotto, Church
of the Nativity, Bethlehem

One of the most well-known Christmas songs is Hark, the Herald Angels Sing! This song was written by Charles Wesley, the brother of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. He was a sombre man, and requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics. More than a hundred years later, English musician William H. Cummings adapted Felix Mendelssohn's tune to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's printing press to fit the lyrics. Since then, its music has changed.

This song is sung during church services in the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass.

Here's Nat King Cole singing Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!

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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 the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
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 the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son 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
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Here's a YouTube video of the song sung at the St Paul's Cathedral, London.