O Holy Night!
- Renée Coventry
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
O Holy Night is another personal favorite of mine. Interestingly, it was written as a poem Minuit Chrétiens (Midnight Christians) in 1847, by a French wine merchant, Placide Cappeau, who was also an atheist. It was set to music by a Jewish composer, Adolphe Adam in the same year. It was controversial when it first came out due to its strong abolitionist stance. Over the years, it has proven to be a source of hope to those on the battlefield. With an emphasis on hope, holiness, the divinity of Christ, and His Lordship, this illustrates how one can have knowledge of the truth without necessarily believing, and why we need to continue to be witnesses to others of the Lord’s extension of mercy to humanity. Continuing in a worshipful vein as we approach Christmas Day, let us remember to be lights shining amid a “crooked and perverse generation,” making the darkness a holy night that illuminates the hope of the world found in Christ alone.
O Holy Night!
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 appear’d 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 voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by 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!
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.
