JINGLE BELLS by Mary Davis

By Mary Davis

Jingle Bells is one of the quintessential Christmas carols and probably the best known one around the world. It was originally titled One Horse Open Sleigh and is a standard at Christmas. The season wouldn’t be the same without it.

BUT . . .

 

Jingle Bells wasn’t written as a Christmas song. Nope. It was written for Thanksgiving. That makes it a Thanksgiving carol. However, it’s not even really about Thanksgiving. It’s about horse racing and dating. LOL!

 

Though the author of this time-tested carol is not in question, when and where it was written is.

 

Let’s roll back time to 1850. James Lord Pierpont was a young man of twenty-seven. (I won’t get into some of his less desirable traits.) His father and older brother were both ministers of Unitarian churches.

 

In 1850, James’s father asked him to write a song for the upcoming Thanksgiving celebration, or so the story goes. At that time, Thanksgiving wasn’t a national holiday. It was celebrated sporadically since 1789. It wasn’t until 1863, when President Lincoln declared a national day of thanksgiving to be observed on the last Thursday in November, that it became consistent across the country. Controversy surrounded which Thursday to observe this celebration, moving to different Thursdays in the month at the current president’s discretion. In 1942, Thanksgiving finally had a permanent home on the fourth Thursday in November.

 

Now, back to 1850 in Medford, Massachusetts. James was struggling with what to write for a Thanksgiving song when he saw some children sledding. He went out and joined them for over an hour, racing down the hill on a borrowed sled. His time in the snow brought back memories of when he was a teen racing horse-drawn sleighs with his buddies. At the end of the races, the winner would receive a hug from one of the girls watching. Which meant, they were racing for hugs and for the admiration and respect of girls. Things haven’t changed much.

James Lord Pierpont

James, being a bit of a rebel, penned verses of those younger years, racing horses to impress girls. He thought that was something to be thankful for. The song was a hit at the Thanksgiving service causing people to hum the tune as they left, and they asked for it to be performed again at Christmas. The repeat performance was received equally as well. Out-of-town visitors at the Christmas service enjoyed it so much, they jotted down the words and memorized the tune.

 

When James Pierpont headed down South in 1857, he took his Thanksgiving song with him. Oliver Ditson and Company published it in that same year in August, and James got it copyrighted a month later on September 16. This is what leads to the confusion of when and where it was penned. Both Medford, Massachusetts and Savannah, Georgia lay claim to the origin of this little ditty.

Back to this being a racing and dating song.

 

Line one of verse one — “Dashing through the snow”. Dashing denotes speed or a race.

 

In verse 2 (lesser well known) — “And soon, Miss Fanny Bright was seated by my side”—the narrator has a girl in the sleigh, and then proceeds to drive either at a great speed or in a reckless manner to end up in a snow bank and tipped over—“He got into a drifted bank and then we got upsot.”

 

Then in verse 3 (also lesser known) — He falls in the snow and a rival laughs at him.

. . . I went out on the snow,

And on my back I fell;

A gent was riding by

In a one-horse open sleigh,

He laughed as there I sprawling lie,

But quickly drove away.

I think they were racing because he says “on” the snow, not in the snow.

 

Last but not least, in the final verse — the narrator tells another fellow to pick up some girls, find a fast horse, then go racing with the fast horse.

. . . Take the girls tonight;

. . . Just get a bobtailed bay

Two forty for his speed

Hitch him to a sleigh

And crack! You’ll take the lead.

Two forty was a horse that could run a mile in two minutes and forty seconds or 22.5 mph.

 

Regardless of how this beloved carol began, over the decades, recording artists—such as Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby, the Andrew Sisters, and many others—have put their stamp on the tune and turned it into a Christmas favorite. Also, the lyrics and pacing have been tweaked since James Pierpont’s original version.

 

So special is this carol that Jingle Bells was the first song to be performed in outer space. On December 16, 1965, the crew of the Gemini 6 played it on harmonica backed up by sleigh bells. Both of which they smuggled aboard before liftoff.

Gemini VI

MRS. WITHERSPOON GOES TO WAR (Heroines of WWII series)
3rd Place 2023 SELAH Award

A WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) flies a secret mission to rescue three soldiers held captive in Cuba.

Margaret “Peggy” Witherspoon is a thirty-four-year-old widow, mother of two daughters, an excellent pilot, and very patriotic. She joins the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). As she performs various tasks like ferry aircraft, transporting cargo, and being an airplane mechanic, she meets and develops feelings for her supervisor Army Air Corp Major Howie Berg. When Peggy learns of U.S. soldiers being held captive in Cuba, she, Major Berg, and two fellow WASPs devise an unsanctioned mission to rescue them. With Cuba being an ally in the war, they must be careful not to ignite an international incident. Order HERE!

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at: Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub

Sources

Stories Behind The Greatest Hits Of Christmas, by Ace Collins

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingle_Bells

https://www.grunge.com/285218/the-history-of-jingle-bells-explained/

https://www.liveabout.com/jingle-bells-history-2456082

https://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-jingle-bells

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Lord_Pierpont

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - Christmas Bells... The Sound of Hope

 By Mary Dodge Allen

Did you know that the Christmas carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is based on a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1863, while he was in the midst of despair? 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow with his wife Fanny and two of their six children (Public Domain)

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born in Portland, Maine in 1807, achieved success and fame as a Harvard professor of Literature and as a published writer. But in 1861 when he was 54, his life was forever changed by a tragic fire that erupted in his home. Henry’s second wife, Fanny had been sealing envelopes with hot wax, when her dress suddenly caught fire. Henry rushed over and managed to smother the flames, but he was unable to save his beloved wife.

Henry was so badly burned; he couldn’t attend his wife's funeral. His eighteen-year marriage to Fanny had been filled with happiness, and her loss triggered a deep depression. But Henry was no stranger to grief. In 1835 when he was 28, his first wife Mary died while they were traveling in Europe, the year before he began teaching at Harvard.

Besides leaving emotional scars, the tragic fire had etched disfiguring scars on Henry’s face. To disguise them, he grew a beard and began wearing his hair longer. Before the fire, Henry had been clean-shaven and well-groomed. The change in his appearance shocked his friends, especially when his disheveled hair and long beard turned grey.

L-R: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow before; and a few years after the fire (Public Domain)

In 1863, while the Civil War was raging, Henry’s oldest son, Charles, age 17, ran away and enlisted in the Union Army. In late November of that year, Charles was severely wounded in battle. A bullet pierced his shoulder, passing within an inch of his spinal cord. The doctors told Henry that his son had narrowly avoided paralysis, and his recovery would take months. In mid-December, as soon as Charles could be moved, Henry took him home to Cambridge.

Charles Appleton Longfellow (Public Domain)

The Longfellow House, Cambridge, MA - National Historic Site (Public Domain)

On Christmas Day 1863, Henry sat at home in Cambridge, weighed down with the burden of his lingering grief for Fanny, his worry about Charles, and his despair about the death and destruction caused by the ongoing Civil War. Suddenly, the loud ringing of church bells broke through his gloomy thoughts. The clear melodic tones of Christmas carols lifted Henry’s spirits and filled him with renewed hope, as his thoughts turned to the birth of Jesus. Henry, a devout Christian, was so moved by this experience, he sat down and penned the poem, “Christmas Bells,” which was published in a magazine in 1865. 

Sheet Music (Public Domain)

In 1872 this poem was set to music by John Baptiste Calkin, to the melody “Waltham.” Two of Henry’s original stanzas referring to the Civil War were omitted from the resulting Christmas carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” 

In the 1950’s, an updated musical version of this carol, set by Johnny Marks, was performed by famous singers like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. This updated carol has also been recorded by recent groups, like Casting Crowns.

Below is the original poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The two omitted Civil War stanzas are marked with ** (double asterisks).

Christmas Bells

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

**Then from each black accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound,
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

**It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

Like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, many of us have experienced illness, grief and perhaps even depression. At times the world around us can seem lonely and bleak, filled with suffering and conflict. These feelings can overwhelm us, especially during the holiday season.

But on that Christmas Day in 1863, when the church bells began ringing the sweet, lovely melodies of familiar carols, Henry’s thoughts turned from despair to hope... celebrating the birth of Jesus... Immanuel... God with us. 

_____________

Mary Dodge Allen is the winner of a 2022 Christian Indie Award, a 2022 Angel Book Award, and two Royal Palm Literary Awards (Florida Writer's Association). She and her husband live in Central Florida, where she has served as a volunteer with the local police department. Her childhood in Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes, sparked her lifelong love of the outdoors. She has worked as a Teacher, Counselor and Social Worker. Her quirky sense of humor is energized by a passion for coffee and chocolate. She is a member of the Florida Writer's Association, American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith Hope and Love Christian Writers. 

Website: www.marydodgeallen.com

Mary's novel: Hunt for a Hometown Killer won the 2022 Christian Indie Award, First Place - Mystery/Suspense; and the 2022 Angel Book Award - Mystery/Suspense.

Click the link below to buy Hunt for a Hometown Killer at Amazon.com:

Hunt For A Hometown Killer: A Novel: Allen, Mary Dodge: 9781952369704: Amazon.com: Books

 

Link to Mary's Podcast on Sarah Hamaker's show: "The Romantic Side of Suspense"

https://sarahhamakerfiction.com/2022/04/05/why-mary-dodge-allen-sets-her-books-in-florida-episode-61/

 

History of A Christmas Carol: Silent Night

By Jennifer Uhlarik

 

Merry Christmas, everyone! Blessings to you and yours from all of us at Heroes, Heroines, and History! We appreciate you, our readers!

 

Every year starting the day after Thanksgiving, my favorite radio station plays wall-to-wall Christmas music for a month. Now don’t get me wrong. Christmas is my favorite holiday, and I love the carols and songs that accompany this beautiful season. But in years past when I was in my car a lot more often (the car is where I listen to the radio most often), I used to get bored with Christmas music about two weeks into the month. Yes, I was a bit Scrooge-like in that regard. 

 

But lately, I’ve really been listening to the lyrics of the songs I love—both Christmas and not. I realize I’ve grown immune to the words of many songs, and when I slow my mind down to hear what is being sung, they hold great meaning. One such song was “Silent Night.” I thought you might like a bit of history on this Christmas favorite.

 

This beloved carol came about because of the partnership of two men in Austria in the early 1800s. The lyrics were penned by Joseph Mohr. Born in 1872, Mohr became a priest in 1815, and his duties took him to various villages in different parts of Austria. He was thought to have penned the words to this famous song in 1816, and two years later, went to minister in Oberndorf.

 

Frank Xaver Gruber was supposed to carry on his father’s weaving business, but his heart wasn’t in the family craft. So instead, his father allowed him to be educated as a teacher. After earning his teaching credentials, he took a job in Arnsdorf and would also play the organ for the neighboring town of Oberndorf. It was in that town that the two men met. As Mohr shared the words he’d penned about the night of Christ’s birth, Gruber wrote a tune to accompany the beautiful verses.

 

Originally written in German, the song was performed for the first time on Christmas eve of 1818 in the St. Nicholas parish church. While Gruber was an organist, they actually played the tune on guitar because there had been flooding in the church which was thought to have damaged the church’s organ. (Interestingly, the church was so prone to flooding that it was eventually destroyed and replaced with the “Silent Night Chapel”).

 

The gentleman who serviced the church’s organ asked to take a copy of the song with him, and from there, it was copied again and given to two different traveling folk singer families who began performing the song to the masses. It became quite popular and was performed around Europe and even brought to America. It was translated to English in 1859 by an Episcopal priest in New York City. It was the first of many translations. As of today, it is known to be sung in at least 140 other languages.

 

So let’s let the meaning of the words sink in as you click the link and let Michael Bublé sing this wonderful work:

 

Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glories stream from heaven above
Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

 

As I focused on the words of this song, the lines of the second verse struck me in a fresh way—the dawn of redeeming grace is truly what the Christmas story is all about! Christ came to earth to redeem us all from our sin, and in spite of the fact He was a helpless newborn laid in a feeding trough, Jesus was still Lord at His birth. What a beautiful picture!

 

It's Your Turn: Did you listen to the words of this old favorite with fresh ears? Did anything strike you in a new way as you listened? I’d love to hear about it.

 

Award-winning, best-selling novelist Jennifer Uhlarik has loved the western genre since she read her first Louis L’Amour novel. She penned her first western while earning a writing degree from University of Tampa. Jennifer lives near Tampa with her husband, son, and furbabies. www.jenniferuhlarik.com

 

COMING MARCH 1, 2022

 

Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik

 

A Friendship From the Past Brings Closure to Dani’s Fractured Family

 

When Dani Sango’s art forger father passes away, Dani inherits his home. There, she finds a book of Native American drawings, which leads her to seek museum curator Brad Osgood’s help to decipher the ledger art. Why would her father have this book? Is it another forgery?

 

Brad Osgood longs to provide his four-year-old niece, Brynn, the safe home she desperately deserves. The last thing he needs is more drama, especially from a forger’s daughter. But when the two meet “accidentally” at St. Augustine’s 350-year-old Spanish fort, he can’t refuse the intriguing woman.

 

Broken Bow is among seventy-three Plains Indians transported to Florida in 1875 for incarceration at ancient Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris and Luke Worthing dream of serving on a foreign mission field, but when the Indians reach St. Augustine, God changes their plans. However, when Sally Jo’s friendship with Broken Bow leads to false accusations, it could cost them their lives.

 

Can Dani discover how Broken Bow and Sally Jo’s story ends and how it impacted her father’s life?

 

Silent Night, Holy Night

 Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht by Martha Rogers

 This is one of the most beloved carols of all time. Over 200 years old, the song is sung by congregations on Christmas Eve all over the world. It all began in a small town in Austria when a young priest by the name of Joseph Mohr was put in charge of the Christmas program at St. Nicholas church in Oberndorf. 

He worked hard on the program and chose the most loved carols of the time for that night. Mohr gave every spare moment of his time to plan the elaborate service. 

He imagined the grand sound in the church with the organ playing to great crescendos of music. However, circumstances kept getting in his way. The weather did not cooperate, the coldest weather in the town's history hit the economy, and members could not get to choir practice because of the ice. 

On Christmas Eve, Mohr went to the church to make sure everything would be read. When he tested the organ, it remained silent. Nothing he did would bring it to life. He rushed from the church to home of his friend Franz Gruber who had once studied organ. However, Gruber had no luck in getting the organ to work, but he offered to play his guitar and accompany the music, but it had to simple works and not the elaborate cantata Mohr had planned. As they leafed through the music, Mohr remembered a poem he had written one cold night in the town of Mariapfarr as he stood on a hill overlooking the peaceful, snow covered village. The majestic silence of the night and the Christmas card scene below inspired him to write of the birth of Jesus and the words flowed from his heart. 

Mohr raced home, found the poem and returned to the church. He gave it to Gruber who composed music for his guitar to play the song. The small church loved the song. 

Franz Gruber: composer of the music for Silent Night

Mohr raced home, found the poem and returned to the church. He gave it to Gruber who composed music for his guitar to play the song. The small church loved the song. 

Weeks later, the organ repair man, Karl Mauracher came to the church. Mohr told him about the Christmas Eve mishap with the organ and how they had used the guitar instead. Mohr then sang the song for Mauracher who was captivated by it. He jotted down the words, learned the melody, and then taught it to choirs all over Europe. Within ten years, thousands of choirs sang the song at Christmas. 

Two well-known families of singers, the Rainers, and the Strassers heard and were captivated by it as well. Both groups added the new song to their Christmas repertoires, and the Strasser sisters sang it across Europe.

This a copy of an early piece of the music.

In 1834, after hearing the carol sung by the Strasser sisters, King Frederick William IV of Prussia liked it so much that he ordered it to be sung by the choir at his cathedral every Christmas Eve. 

Twenty years after song was written, it came to the United States with the Rainers who sang it in German at New York City's Trinity Church.

By 1863 it had been translated in English, and in 1871 made its way into print in Charles Hutchins' Sunday School Hymnal. Today, the beautiful carol is sung around the world in more than 300 different languages.

The original St. Nicholas church was badly 

damaged by a flood in 1899. Because of the wide spread damage in the town, leaders decided to move the  town further away from the river. 

The chapel was demolished, but a cone shape made of debris is on the site today.  

In 1924, the construction of a memorial chapel proceeded slowly because of difficult political and economic conditions of Austria at the time. The chapel was finally completed on August 15, 1937.

Every year at Christmas, thousands of people from around the world visit the chapel and museum. At 5:00 P.M. every Christmas Eve, a memorial mass is held at the church and guests hear the beloved carol in their language. Since 2002, the event is transmitted by means of a local webcam on the internet. 

When I was in Salzburg, Austria on a church choir concert tour, we were only 10 miles away from the town. Our busy schedule did not give time for us to visit, and I've regretted that to this day. Now that I've learned more of the history, I'll think of Salzburg and the little chapel every time we sing the carol at our church's Christmas Eve candlelight service.

Do you have a favorite Christmas carol? This one is mine. 

Two years ago I wrote a Christmas story that was based on the Faith Center of our church. The center has a special Christmas event called the "Christmas Store" every year. In the book it became a party with Santa for the families who come to the center. 

 

Before Garrison Cole can access his inheritance from his grandmother, he must fulfill the stipulations of her will and use thousands of dollars she set aside to make Christmas special for Hope Center of her church and the children's hospital. Along the way he must work with Kelly Graves who only remembers him as the rich jerk back in high school who made fun of those who weren't in the elite circle. Can Christmas provide the magic for them both to discover true love.

Who is Good King Wenceslas?

By Susanne Dietze

Many of us have heard "Good King Wenceslas," a Christmas carol which tells of a king and his page braving harsh winter weather to assist a peasant on the Feast of Saint Stephen (December 26). But who is King Wenceslas, and how did this song become a beloved holiday carol when it has nothing to do with Christmas?

Engraving, 1879, Ramsden Bramley. Public Domain.

The tale of this kind-hearted king stems from a story about the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia in Czech (907–935). (Wenceslaus, or Wenceslas as he is called in the song, is a version of the Czech "Venceslav.") 

Wenceslaus's family had not been Christians for long. His paternal grandparents Bořivoj I of Bohemia and Ludmila converted after learning about Christianity from Saints Cyril and Methodius. Their son, Wenceslaus's father Vratislaus I (c. 888-921), was a Christian but he married his wife, Drahomíra, not for her faith, but to establish ties with the Polabian Slavs, as she was the daughter of the tribal chief. Drahomíra was baptized at the time of their marriage, but does not seem to have been truly converted. Their children Wenceslaus and his brother Boleslav were raised as Christians, however.

Vratislav I of Bohemia, Liber depictus. Public Domain.

When Wenceslaus was thirteen years old, in 921, his father died. He was too young to rule alone, so his paternal grandmother Ludmila became his regent--but not for long. Wenceslaus's mother Drahomíra arranged to have Ludmila killed, and the poor queen was said to have been strangled by her own veil in September of 921.

Ludmila and Drahomíra with young Wenceslaus, 19th-century painting, by Josef Mathauser. Public Domain

Drahomíra became regent and at once, took action against Christians. Many were killed. Once Wenceslaus turned eighteen, he gathered the remaining Christian nobles and rose against his mother. They were successful in their campaign, and he sent his mother into exile in Budeč.

To prevent fighting between Wenceslaus and his brother Boleslav, the nobles split the country between them. Wenceslaus ruled through a series of military conflicts, and also founded a rotunda devoted to St. Vitus at Prague Castle (now St. Vitus Cathedral).

Statue of Wenceslaus in St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague. Public Domain

In 935, however, Boleslav followed his mother's example and determined to kill his political rival, even though it was his own brother. After inviting Wenceslaus to celebrate the Feast of Saint Cosmas together, three of Boleslav's friends, Tira, Česta, and Hněvsa, stabbed Wenceslaus. As the duke fell, Boleslav ran him through with a lance.

Shortly after Wenceslaus' murder, he was viewed as a martyr, killed for his Christian faith. Within twenty years or so, four biographies circulated about Wenceslaus, which included stories of Wenceslaus' noble deeds and compassion. These accounts influenced the High Middle Ages idea of a rex justus, or righteous king, a ruler of piety and courage. 

Holy Roman Emperor Otto I (962–973) posthumously conferred the title of king onto Wenceslaus, who was eventually sainted with a Feast Day of September 28 (a national holiday in Czech since 2000). 

Wenceslaus has been admired, celebrated, and venerated for more than a thousand years, but the carol we hear during the holidays has only been around since 1853.

Illustration of Wenceslaus and his page by Arthur Gaskin, 1904. Public Domain.

English hymnwriter John Mason Neale wrote the lyrics to "Good King Wenceslas" (set to a centuries-old tune), and the song first appeared in Carols for Christmas-Tide, 1853. In the church calendar, Christmas lasts for Twelve Days (Dec 25-January 5) so even though the song has nothing to do with Christmas, per se, it is set on St. Stephen's Day, December 26, which makes it appropriate for Christmastide.

The legend that inspired the song about Wenceslaus may not be true, but the legacy of compassion and generosity is perfect for Christmas and the whole year though. The carol ends:

Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing,

Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.

***

Susanne Dietze is a 2019 RWA RITA-nominee and author of soon-to-release The Blizzard Bride from Barbour Publishing. She loves to chat with readers and can be found at her website, www.susannedietze.com.

Hymn Stories: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Christmas favorite "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is one of more than 6,500 hymns written by Englishman and Anglican priest Charles Wesley...but the original song, first published in 1739 in the collection Hymns and Sacred Poems, was not quite what we sing today.

Charles Wesley was born in 1707 to Samuel, an Anglican priest, and Susanna, one of nineteen children, although nine would die quite young. One of his older brothers, John Wesley, would later found Methodism. After studying at Oxford, Charles Wesley was ordained into the Anglican church in 1735, as his father and brother John had been.

Charles Wesley, painter unknown. Public Domain

Despite his ordination, he experienced a conversation in May of 1738 which influenced his understanding of the Holy Spirit. He felt strengthened to share the Gospel in new ways, included open-air preaching, and began to write hymns. 

Within the year, he'd written "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and seen it published. The form was different than we'd recognize now: it contained ten four-line verses, with no refrain.Wesley's theologically rich song was intended to be set to a slow, serious tune. It also began like this:

HARK how all the Welkin rings

"Glory to the Kings of Kings,

"Peace on Earth, and Mercy mild,

"GOD and Sinners reconcil'd!"

Joyful all ye Nations rise,

Join the Triumph of the Skies,

Universal Nature say

"CHRIST the LORD is born to Day!"

"Welkin" means "sky" or "heaven." 

"Worship of the Shepherds" by Bronzino. Public Domain

George Whitefield, fellow preacher and a fellow student with Wesley, took hold of the hymn and made some big changes in 1753. Where Wesley wrote, "Glory to the King of kings," Whitefield preferred "Glory to the newborn King." There were other changes that were possibly theological in nature, and Whitfield cut the final four verses. 

Whitefield's version was published in his 1754 Collection of Hymns for Social Worship. Wesley was so upset, he refused to sing the new version. 

In 1782, the hymn was revised yet again with the addition of the familiar refrain in New Version of the Psalms of David by Tate and Brady: "Hark! the Herald Angels sing/Glory to the newborn king."

In 1855, the hymn saw new life when English musician William H. Cummings adapted a tune by composer Felix Mendelssohn (from Festgesang) to fit the lyrics. Mendelssohn never thought that piece suitable for sacred music, ironically.

In 1885, it was considered one of the "Great Four" Anglican hymns by the Rev. James King, who wrote a book about the hymns most often sung in the Anglican Communion. Two of the four are by Charles Wesley; the other is "Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending." (The other two? "Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me" by Toplady and "All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night" by Ken.)

It is this version we sing today, a beloved and so familiar it was featured in 1965's "A Charlie Brown Christmas." It is difficult to imagine a Christmas Eve church service without it.

***

Your Turn:

What is your favorite Christmas hymn?

***


BIO:

Susanne Dietze began writing love stories in high school, casting her friends in the starring roles. Today, she's the award-winning author of over a dozen historical romances who's seen her work on the ECPA and Publisher's Weekly Bestseller Lists for Inspirational Fiction. Married to a pastor and the mom of two, Susanne lives in California and enjoys fancy-schmancy tea parties, genealogy, the beach, and curling up on the couch with a costume drama and a plate of nachos. Her books include My Heart Belongs in Ruby City, Idaho: Rebecca's Plight, a mail-order mix-up. Visit Susanne at www.susannedietze.com

Our Christmas Wish To You

A Christmas Song
Words by Tudor Jenks


When mother-love makes all things bright,
When joy comes with the morning light,
When children gather round their tree,
    Thou Christmas Babe,
    We sing of Thee!

When manhood's brows are bent in thought,
To learn what men of old have taught,
When eager hands seek wisdom's key,
    Wise Temple Child,
    We learn of Thee!

When doubts assail, and perils fright,
When, groping blindly in the night,
We strive to read life's mystery,
    Man of the Mount,
    We turn to Thee!

When shadows of the valley fall,
When sin and death the soul appall,
One light we through the darkness see—
    Christ on the Cross,
    We cry to Thee!

And when the world shall pass away,
And dawns at length the perfect day,
In glory shall our souls made free,
    Thou God enthroned,
    Then worship Thee.

May you each have a blessed and Merry Christmas from all of us here at Heroes, Heroines, and History!

Jennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a pre-teen when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a B.A. in writing, she has won five writing competitions and finaled in two other competitions. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers and lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, teenaged son, and four fur children.