The 18th Century Methodist leader and younger brother of John, Charles Wesley (1707-1788) was a prolific hymn writer. It is said that he wrote over 6000 altogether. A large number are still sung today. One modern hymn book contains over 80.In 1745 Wesley published his Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord. It contains some 18 hymns on the incarnation. The book went on to be published in over 25 further editions in Wesley's life time, not always with his approval. The numerous editions contain many variations. The best known of the 18 are Glory be to God on high and Let earth and heaven combine. Come Thou long expected Jesus is not really now thought of as a Christmas hymn.
Absent from this collection are To us a child of royal birth and Hark the Herald angels sing which we now sing in a different form to that in which Wesley wrote it.
The hymns vary but are all excellent attempts to set out the story of the incarnation and wonderful lines occur such as The inn is a palace; for Jesus is there (16). One of the strongest themes is that because God has become a human being then we also can become divine, in the sense of entering into the delights that God bestows on his children.
The small book can be accessed here.
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