Today’s devotional is by Lorna Wilkinson.

 
"This majestic carol encompasses the amazing truth of Philippians 2:6-11: “who, though he [Jesus] was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
 
‘Hark!’ calls us to give attention to the proclamation of the heavenly messengers about the newborn King. It tells the amazing story of the Redeemer, who paid for our salvation by leaving the glories of Heaven to become one of us so that He could be our substitute and pay the ultimate price for our sins at Calvary. He was born to die so that we may live forever by receiving His gift of eternal life – “Born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.”
 
We then go on to sing, ‘Joyful, all ye nations rise’. There is no better news our world should embrace this Christmas. In the midst of all that is happening around the globe, what a difference there would be if Christ was given His rightful place in hearts and lives.
 
This carol also tells us of a true reconciliation between man and God. Christ is for all to embrace – “Light and life to all He brings, ris'n with healing in His wings.” Let us rejoice “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
 
Are you reconciled to God? Do you know the Saviour today?
 
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!”'