December 5

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

by Sherry Shelton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G71jGY6q8QY

This carol was written by an American Reverend, Edmund Hamilton Sears, in 1849.  He wrote only two hymns in his life, and “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” was one of them. He wrote this carol during times of social upheaval as a result of the Industrial Revolution in New England, and also the frantic Gold Rush to California.  The text addresses the concerns of those who were “beneath the crushing load” urging them to listen once again to the singing of the angels.

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.’”  (Luke 2:13-14)

Nearly 200 years later, this carol is still bringing peace and comfort to those who feel stressed and flustered in their lives, particularly at Christmas time. During the last two weeks of my husband’s earthly journey, while on hospice in our home, I had a harpist come to our home to play the harp. As the soothing, angelic music was played, I envisioned a stairway to heaven and angels playing their “harps of gold.” I was overwhelmed with God’s perfect peace and comfort during that stressful time.

This carol celebrates the part the angels played in announcing the first appearance of Jesus. Throughout the ages of earthly strife, grief and unbearable burden, angels have continued to sing praises to God. We look forward in anticipation to the time when Christ will come and the Saints shall meet Him in the air, and then, with all the angels sing our hallelujahs to the King of Kings.