O Holy NIght

Every year on Christmas eve our congregation sings the hymn.  We sang it in the church I grew up in, too--or perhaps I should say that it was sung on our behalf.  Every year, Christmas eve, Mrs. Dobbins came to the front of the darkened sanctuary, the pianist played the introduction and everyone knew what was coming.  It never grew old, at least not to me. Her powerful soprano voice lifted our congregation up and beyond the rafters:

O Holy Night!  The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.

For me personally, there is no text that speaks more powerfully to the meaning of Advent.  The next line describes the personal impact of the first arrival of Jesus.  Notice, the author appeared to believe that it is our value as human beings that is illumined by the arrival of Jesus.  

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

 Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

The next line lays out the hope we embrace in the second Advent, the return of Jesus.  The birth of Jesus lifts the eyes to the horizon:

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

A later verse captures the new possibilities in our living as a result of the first and second Advent of Christ.  Here it becomes clear that the author believed that all who believe in God through Jesus are granted a new vocation:

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.

The following is the entire text of this magnificent hymn, as I've found it at this site: http://www.carols.org.uk/ba32-o-holy-night.htm   (Bear in mind that this is a translation, so there may be minor discrepancies with the version with which you are most familiar.)  Read it through. These words leave me almost speechless.   I'd love to hear where they impact you.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, 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 he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

O Holy Night Lyrics Christmas Carol Lyrics