This time of the year is blessed with music of the season. My favorites are the hymns of Christmas that refer to Christ. (And, Mele Kalikimaka, I love Hawai’i! During this commercialized season of Christmas — when we in the Church remember the birth of Jesus and the salvation He brings — I’ve been impressed for many years how the holiday selections include so many songs, or hymns, where Jesus is the focus! It feels sometimes as if we live in a world that doesn’t remember God. But, perhaps not all recognize that many of the songs they sing along to are in His honor.
One of my favorite Christmas hymns is O’ Holy Night. I did some research and guess what, an atheist wrote the lyrics. Placide Cappeau wrote the poem in his native French, “Cantique de Noel” (Song of Christmas) in the mid-1800’s. Then, Adolphe Adam, a French composer, and Jewish, set the poem to music. An American Unitarian minister, John Sullivan Dwight, translated the poem into English. By the beginning of the 1900’s, the song had entered into the public’s conscience along with many other popular and favorite hymns still sung today.
I think the words of O’ Holy Night are poignant and often bring tears to my eyes. Thinking about that Holy Night and what this baby brings to the world, the stars brightly shining, the proclamations by the angels to the shepherds and the world, a world that had been waiting for Him, He taught us to love one another……there is so much in this song. It is full of God’s story. An article I read about the song commented upon the words, “Fall on your knees!” For in the Bible we are told that when Christ returns all people will fall on their knees to worship Christ, even those who do not know Him. The song itself, written by an atheist and composed by a Jewish person, shows how many are touched by Jesus, knowingly or not.
Here are the words to O’ Holy Night, speaking more eloquently than me. The next time you hear the song, may it be a song of hope and joy to you.
In Christ’s Love,
Paisia
O’ Holy Night
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared 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, O holy 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 came 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 pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
Originally published in the Holy Apostles E-Bulletin
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