Lyrics - 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

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 divine! O night, O night divine!

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!

Words: Placide Cappeau (tr John Dwight), Music: Adolphe Adam, Arranged: by Keith & Kristyn Getty

Bible Memory Verses

‘And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.’

-  Matthew 2:11, ESV

‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’

- John 1:5, ESV

Story Behind the Song

Just under 200 years ago, in a little French town called Roquemaure, a poet called Placide Cappeau was asked to write a hymn for a Christmas Eve service. Cappeau collaborated with his friend Adolphe Adam to set his poetry to music. The hymn ‘Cantique de Noël’/ O Holy Night was born. Since then it has been translated in many languages and sung all over the world. 

The lyrics that speak to chains of slavery broken by the peace of Christ had a big impact in the debate against slavery in the 1800s. This expanded the carol’s reach.

The story is told that this hymn was played in the very first radio broadcast on Christmas Eve, 1906. Inventor Reginald Fessenden read the Christmas story and played O Holy Night on the violin in a short radio transmission to ships along the Atlantic coast. 

It has been recorded by many different artists across many musical genres - such is the lasting and wide-reaching power of a wonderfully crafted piece of music! 

Something to Think About

I was scared of the dark when I was little. I had to sleep with a lamp on every night. I had a little prayer book I wrote in before bed and many times would write ‘please Lord help me not to be scared’. The darkness can be scary. Without light we cannot see what is really around us and our imaginations begin to take over!

In the northern hemisphere, where I live, December nighttimes are very long. I do all I can to push it back with lamps, and lights and candles and fires! But it is a beautiful reminder each year - not only do we not need to be scared of the dark but we can rejoice in God’s never fading light. Jesus came to us as the Light of the World. We would be left in the dark if not for Him. But as the carol says ‘A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn’. And this is the only light the darkness will never overcome. (John 1:5). 

So next time it starts to grow dark - either outside in the night sky or inside your mind with a shadowy thought  - remind yourself of His unfading light. Thank Him for it, worship Him and share His goodness with others.

Prayer

Father in heaven,

We thank you for this season of darker days and waiting for Christmas morning. It reminds us that all the world needs your light and you have answered our longing in Jesus. Use this carol to help us praise You for Your great gift.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Teach your children to praise God with heart and voice! Click here to learn more about Kristyn Getty’s new book, We Sing!

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