Today is the birthday of hymn writer Charles Wesley, author of two famous Christmas carols, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and the lesser-known Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus. In addition, he wrote approximately 5500 more hymns and spiritual songs.

Christmas in Charles Wesley’s Journal:

1743: “Christmas-day. I heard that one of our fiercest persecutors, who had cut his throat, and lay for dead some hours, was miraculously revived, as a monument of divine mercy. Many of his companions have been hurried into eternity, while fighting against God. He is now seeking Him whom once he persecuted; was confounded at the sight of me, much more by my comfortable words, and a small alms. He could only thank me with his tears.
I read prayers, and preached, “Glory be to God in the highest,” to a people who now have ears to hear.”

1749: “Christmas-day. The room was full as it could contain. We rejoiced from four to six, “that to us a Son is born, to us a Child is given.”

Dueling Hymns: Augustus Toplady and Charles Wesley

In church last Sunday our pastor preached on the Biblical sources for Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. I am so thankful that God saw fit to give human beings the gift of song and of music to give joy and aid memory. And I’m thankful for all those Wesleyan hymns, most of which I’ve never heard. A gift yet to be discovered.

Hymns by Charles Wesley That I Do Know and Love:

A Charge To Keep Have I
Amazing Love! How Can It Be?
Arise My Soul, Arise
Christ The Lord Is RIsen Today
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Jesus Lover of My Soul
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
O For a Thousand Tongues To Sing
Rejoice the Lord Is King

If you have a post today (or any other day) concerning Charles Wesley, please leave a link to join in the celebration. And thanks to Hope for reminding me, forgetful thing that I am.

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