Religious Favorites Christmas Card Set - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Charles Wesley wrote the words in 1739, and the opening line he first gave them was "Hark! how all the welkin rings." George Whitefield, the famous preacher, is often credited with changing it to "Hark! the herald angels sing," which is the version people sing today. The tune that carries it now was not Wesley's. It comes from Felix Mendelssohn's 1840 festival cantata, and it was fitted to these words in 1855, so the familiar melody and lyrics were joined by someone other than the original poet.

This card brings that story to the mantel with a sage-green background, white angels blowing their trumpets, and white poinsettia-style blooms framed by green leaves and sparkling stars. The angels in the verse are the ones from Luke 2:13–14, announcing peace on earth to all who are favored. Gold foil picks out the lettering, the border, and the trumpets, so the words catch the light as the card sits on the sideboard.

Inside, the verse reads: "May your holiday be filled with quiet peace and lasting joy."

• Card Size: 5 in × 7 in (12.7 cm × 17.78 cm)
• Quantity: 16 cards, 17 envelopes
• Inside Verse: "May your holiday be filled with quiet peace and lasting joy."
• Artwork: White angels with trumpets, white poinsettia-style flowers, green leaves, and sparkle stars on a sage-green background
• Finish: Gold foil on the words, border, and trumpets
• Collection: Religious Favorites, design 4 of 12