Hark, what are the angels singing?

With a slight twist of words, here’s a Christmas carol that might sound familiar:

Hark, how all the welkin rings,
“Glory to the King 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!”

Those were the original words to “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing,” written in the 19th century by Charles Wesley . Pastor Mark Roberts of the Irvine (Calif.) Presbyterian Church provides the background to favorite carols and a spiffy “Advent Calendar” here .