O Holy Night
Truly, he taught us to love one another
"O Holy Night," originally titled "Cantique de Noël," was written in French by Placide Cappeau, a wine merchant and poet, in 1847. Adolphe Adam, a French composer, later set the poem to music. The song was first performed at the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in the small French town of Roquemaure.
The English version of the song was created by John Sullivan Dwight, an American Unitarian minister, in 1855. Dwight's translation is the one commonly used in English-speaking countries today.
"O Holy Night" gained popularity over the years and became a cherished Christmas carol. It has been translated into numerous languages and recorded by various artists across different genres. The song's powerful and emotional melody and poignant lyrics contribute to its enduring appeal.
O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error, pining
' Til He appears, and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel's voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!
"O Holy Night" is first a song depicting the birth of Jesus. We are immediately taken in with a sense of deep solemnity for the moment. At the same time, we are confronted with the deep contrast between our need — long lay the world in sin and error pining — and the explosion of hope that comes with this birth — a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
And the appropriate response is to fall on our knees in worship.
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by the light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the Wise Men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
Christ came to redeem and save humanity from sin. We are led to the side of Christ's cradle — led by the light of faith serenely beaming — just as the wise men were led by the light of the star sweetly gleaming. And even though we are invited to come near to the cradle during this time of advent, we are reminded that he knows our needs, understands our weaknesses, and was both to be our friend, walking along with us through our life.
And what is our appropriate response? To see and bow humbly in worship.
Truly, He taught us to love one another;
His law is love, and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
In the final frame, we find a dramatic and emotional call to remember and acknowledge the significance of this birth. We are invited to look ahead at the words Jesus would speak and the life he would live — truly, he taught us to love one another; his law is love, and his gospel is peace. Then, we are reminded of the words of Isaiah that Jesus quotes in Luke 4:18–19, the very mission and purpose by which we are to live — chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, and in his name, all oppression shall cease!
And once again, our response is to praise the Lord with all that is in us and with all we are!
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