Xmas should be considered a secular holiday, and celebrating in that fashion in the public schools is OK with me. It usually causes a rise in the economy, which is a good thing. However, references to a virgin being impregnated by a ghost, " Off-spring of a Virgin's womb:" is not something that I would want taught to young children. ??Rise, the woman??s conquering seed, Bruise in us the serpent??s head.?, is obviously a reference to the saviour-god smashing the devil, as represented by a snake. The snake is a symbol of sexuality and health, both of which christianity fought against, and continues to do today.

Additionally, as Americans, we're not required to bow to a king, but the song proclaims, "Glory to the new-born King". The christ is not my king, and never will be glorified by me. Members of the Founding Fathers of our country felt the same way. I'm sure that if those men had been actual practicing Christians (of which there was only one - the original), this country would still be ruled by England, or taken by France or Spain.

More people have been killed in the name of Christianity than any other movement, yet the song proclaims, "Mild he lays his glory by, Born that men no more may die." This is not an accurate description of christianity's bloody history.

Another line, "God and sinners reconciled!", is the christians?? perverted way of promising forgiveness to those that subjugate themselves to this stupid religion.

Sorry, but christianity is largely responsible for the very injustices that you despise - like the attempts to free murderers from the death penalty that they richly deserve.

Make it a totally secular holiday, and we??ll all have a good time. The following song should not be sung in schools that are supported by taxpayers:


HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING

"HYMN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY"

Words: Hark How All The Welkin Rings, Charles Wesley (1707-1788), Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739
Amended by
George Whitfield (1714-1770), 1753
Martin Madan (1726-1790), 1760
And Others

Also found in Sandys, 1833, Abridged.

Music: "Mendelssohn," Felix Mendelssohn, 1840,
as part of a cantata honoring printer Johann Gutenberg titled "Festgesant" ("Festival Song"), and specifically "Gott ist Licht" ("God is Light").
Arranged by William Hayman Cummings; first presented Christmas Day, 1855
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer

1. Hark! The Herald Angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise.
Join the triumph of the skies.
With th' Angelic Hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!" 1
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King."

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting lord
Late in time behold him come,
Off-spring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail, the incarnate deity
Pleased as Man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the New-born king!"

3. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace,
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His Wings.
Now 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 New-born king!"

4. Come, Desire of nations come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born king;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the New-born king!"

5. Adam's likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the New-born king!"



Alternate Third Verses

3. Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that men no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Risen with healing in his wings,
Light and life to all he brings,
Hail! The Sun of Righteousness!
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn king.

3. Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that men no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace,
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His Wings.

Alternate Fourth Verses

4. Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman's conquering Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent's head.
Now display thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

4. Come, Desire of nations come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the Woman's conquering Seed,
Bruise in us the Serpent's head.
Adam's likeness now efface:
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam, from above,
Reinstate us in thy love.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,
Glory to the Newborn King.

4. Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman??s conquering seed,
Bruise in us the serpent??s head.
Adam??s likeness, Lord, efface;
Stamp Thy likeness in its place;
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.

Sheet Music adapted by Rev. R. F. Smith from Rev. Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, 1894), Carol #17