1CHRISTIANS, awake, salute the happy morn Whereon the Saviour of mankind was born Rise to adore the mystery of love, Which hosts of angels chanted from above; With them the joyful tidings first begun Of God incarnate and the virgin's son.
2Then to the watchful shepherds it was told, Who heard the angelic herald's voice: "Behold, I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth To you and all the nations upon earth; This day hath God fulfilled his promised word, This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord."
3He spake; and straightway the celestial choir In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire; The praises of redeeming love they sang, And heaven's whole orb with hallelujahs rang; God's highest glory was their anthem still, Peace upon earth, and unto men good-will.
4To Bethlehem straight the enlightened shepherds ran, To see the wonders God had wrought for man: Then to their flocks, still praising God, return, And their glad hearts with holy rapture burn; Amazed, the wondrous tidings they proclaim, The first apostles of his infant fame.
5O! may we keep and ponder in our mind God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind; Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss, From the poor manger to the bitter cross; Tread in his steps, assisted by his grace, Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.
6Then may we hope, the angelic hosts among, To join, redeemed, a glad triumphant throng; He that was born upon this joyful day Around us all his glory shall display; Saved by his love, incessant we shall sing Eternal praise to heaven's almighty King.
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Charles Wesley (1707 - 1788)
Was an English hymn writer, poet, and preacher who wrote over 5,500 hymns including And Can It Be That I Should Gain?, O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing. A leader of the Methodist movement with his brother John Wesley.Wesley's conversion had a clear impact on his doctrine, especially the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. The change in doctrine can be seen in his sermons after 1738, but is most notable in his hymns written after 1738. From Charles published work “Hymns and Prayers to the Trinity” and in Hymn number 62 he writes “The Holy Ghost in part we know, For with us He resides, Our whole of good to Him we owe, Whom by His grace he guides, He doth our virtuous thoughts inspire, The evil he averts, And every seed of good desire, He planted in our hearts.”
Charles Wesley is best known for his prolific hymn writing, his poetry and for being one of the founding fathers of the Methodist denomination of Christianity. He wrote more than six thousand hymns, of which a handful remain in modern day worship.
John and Charles Wesley's Methodist style was to take the word of God to people, wherever they were, rather than try to get them into a church to hear it. The numbers of converts grew and were gathered into 'societies' to nurture their faith.
With their helpers they began their travelling ministry, covering thousands of miles on horseback over the years throughout England and in Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with London, Bristol, and Newcastle being the main centres of their work.
The high-intensity preaching took its toll on Charles; he suffered from nervous exhaustion and severe depression. He was 80 when he died on 29th March 1788. With his famous carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing heard everywhere from cathedrals to supermarkets, the legacy of Charles Wesley is likely to continue for years to come.
Charles Wesley was an English leader of the Methodist movement, son of Anglican clergyman and poet Samuel Wesley, the younger brother of Anglican clergyman John Wesley and Anglican clergyman Samuel Wesley (the Younger), and father of musician Samuel Wesley, and grandfather of musician Samuel Sebastian Wesley.
Despite their closeness, Charles and his brother John did not always agree on questions relating to their beliefs. In particular, Charles was strongly opposed to the idea of a breach with the Church of England into which they had been ordained. Charles Wesley is chiefly remembered for the many hymns he wrote. He founded Wesley Chapel in the village of Brayton, which is just south of Selby. His house, located nearby, can still be visited today.