“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” was one of the many hymns written by Charles Wesley. It was sung to various tunes but never widely loved. Then a young opera singer was singing Mendelssohn’s opera The Festgesang and thought the chorus fit the hymn. Immediately it became popular, but the words would have been lost long before if not for a printer who needed to fill a blank space and printed the words. The lesson is obvious—Christmas fills a blank space on the calendar, in the home, in the church and in our hearts.


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About The Author

A third generation preacher, Mike Shannon is Professor of Preaching at Cincinnati Bible Seminary of Cincinnati Christian University. He has served as a preaching minister, church planter, and college professor. His most recent preaching ministry was at the historic First Christian Church of Johnson City, Tennessee. In his nearly two decades at Cincinnati Christian University, Mike has served as both professor and Dean of the Seminary. He has also been an adjunct professor at Milligan College and Northern Kentucky University. Mike is the author or co-author of several books.

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