The same year twenty-one-year-old George Washington was fighting in the French and Indian War, a Christmas carol became popular. It was written by Charles Wesley, born on the eighteenth day of December in 1707. He was the brother of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and together they served as missionaries among the Indians and settlers in Georgia. Charles Wesley's Christmas carol, written in 1753, begins:
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 host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem
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