“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is a traditional Christian Christmas hymn with words by English hymn writer Charles Wesley and music based on a composition by Felix Mendelssohn. Wesley’s original hymn dates to the eighteenth century, while the familiar melody was adapted from Mendelssohn’s nineteenth-century music. William Cummings combined the text and melody into the form that became widely known as the Christmas carol. Church of Jesus Christ

The hymn celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and focuses on the angels announcing the arrival of the newborn King. Its themes include peace, reconciliation, salvation and hope. The opening summons listeners to hear the angels’ proclamation, while later verses describe Christ as the Prince of Peace and connect his birth with the Christian promise of redemption.

Nat King Cole’s recording brings the hymn into the world of popular Christmas music while preserving its religious character. The song remains one of the most recognizable Christmas hymns because its message is directly tied to the Nativity and its melody has a strong, celebratory quality. It is frequently heard in churches, Christmas concerts and seasonal recordings, where its combination of theology and joyful music makes it especially suited to Christmas celebrations.