The Epiphany, Charles Wesley's Hymn "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," and Iconic Realism

 "Adoration of the Magi" by Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640). 

Image: Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lyon, France

The Epiphany: 

The Epiphany is the Christian celebration of the Infant Jesus and recognition of His divinity as the three kings of the East present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Infant Jesus in the manger. Many have attached symbolic meanings to these gifts, and that is still up for discussion. However, this Biblical event does illustrate my semiotic theory of iconic realism in the following manner: 

1. A baby is born in a lowly place, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of His mother, father, and domestic barn animals. 

2. The baby and His family receive elite visitors, who had followed a star leading to this location. They kneel and worship the infant in this lowly place. Then, they present Him with extravagant gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are not the usual gifts given to a newborn infant. 

3. This presentation illustrates the juxtaposition of Divinity and humility. Thus, through humble means, people can accept Divine Love and find purpose within their lives. 

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The hymn, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing:'

In the mid-eighteenth century, Charles Wesley wrote lyrics to hymns that Christians sing to this day. His hymns are instructive and relevant to the daily journey in which we engage. The 1739 hymn, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," is often sung in churches after Christmas Eve, for this hymn explains the purpose of Jesus' birth. This hymn is an excellent one for the Epiphany because the lyrics describe the brilliant skies of Bethlehem after Jesus has been born, providing all with knowledge of God's light in each life, just as the Magi experienced as they greeted the newborn King with humility and grace. 

How does this Christmas hymn reflect iconic realism? 

1. Iconic angels sing in the evening skies, as they declare the "Glory to the newborn King" and these beings are seen by all those who look up into this glorious scene, including the lowliest of humanity. 

2. The lines, "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity," place this innocent baby in the  role of Godliness even at His birth, an unusual role for one at this time in His life. 

3. The final verse demonstrates the Divine purpose of His birth in the following lines: 

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

He will bring enlightenment, life, and healing through his patient and 'mild' mannerisms, for He was born to bring everlasting life, and to show humanity the fulfillment of the 'second birth,' in current terms, being  born again.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing
A hymn written by Charles Wesley, 1739

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!”