And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest…”
Luke 2:13-14

The fourth Advent Candle is the Angel’s Candle. It reminds us that just as the angels were messengers proclaiming Christ’s birth to the shepherds, we are God's messengers proclaiming the gospel of Christ’s to the world.

Hark The Herald Angels 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 the angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."

Christ, by highest heaven adored: Christ the Everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come, to the earth from heaven's home;
Veiled in flesh the God-head see; hail the incarnate Deity;
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King."

Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, risen 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." Amen.

Charles Wesley, who wrote this Christmas hymn, is credited by some with having written over 6,000 of our hymns! He was inspired to write this carol as he walked to church on Christmas morning in 1793, hearing the ringing of the church bells. An organist, William Cummings, in 1856, set the words to music that Felix Mendelssohn had composed in 1840.

This is a familiar song—but look again at the words. Jesus Christ is King. He came to reconcile us to God. He is adored in Heaven and certainly should be adored in our lives. Without ceasing to be God even for a moment, He laid aside His glory (not His divinity) to come to live as man in order to give us new life.

What a King indeed!