One of the best-loved Christmas songs continues to be O HOLY NIGHT. It was written in 1843 by French poet, Placide Cappeau, and French composer, Adolphe Adam, and was translated into English in 1855 by John Sullivan Dwight, an English minister.
In the first verse the phrase, “A thrill of hope” is a fitting response to the first Christmas. It also justifies the song’s inclusion in this blog. Besides it’s one of my favorite Christmas songs!
Seriously ponder the words below, their meaning, and then listen open-hearted to this beautiful Christmas song that can be found online. It has been sung by many musical artists. Personally I’m awed by the matching of Andrea Bocelli’s superb voice with this glorious song.
O HOLY NIGHT
“O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till 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 the 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 weaknesses 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.”
( Cappeau, Adam, Dwight)
Jesus Christ’s incarnation that holy night brings to our world eternal hope! I believe “His law is love, and His gospel is peace,” so I have hope. May we know and live with “the thrill of hope” everyday. Then “Let all within us praise His holy name.”
“Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever.”