"O Holy Night": What Does It Mean to Me?

"O Holy Night" (click to listen while reading) is one of the most recognizable Christmas carols around. It's distinct waltz-meter and lovely harmonies welcome us all to the coming of Christmas. But what does the song mean? When we look at the words, what do they actually mean?

Let's begin with a quick journey into the origin of the song:

In 1847, in Roquemaure, France, merchant and poet Placide Cappeau was commissioned by his local priest to write a Christmas hymn. Cappeau was happy to oblige, and certainly thrilled to take part in what would eventually be a most prominent Christmas song.

While Cappeau was quite enviable in the literary world, his musical talents were less sought after. So he enlisted the help of his friend Adolphe Adams, a prominent Jewish composer, to write the music for his poem, "Minuit, Chrétiens." Adams entitled the tune "Cantique de Noel."

While the song found immense popularity in France, it wasn't until eight years later that American musician John Sullivan Dwight found this song and translated it to English.

Incidentally, "O Holy Night" was the first song transmitted over radio, preceded by the first words ever spoken over radio, a reading of the Christmas story found in Luke.

With this rich heritage in mind, let's delve into the meaning of the words themselves.

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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!

It is amazing to consider all that went into this one night in history. Prophecies fulfilled, God's love made known, our planet soon to be the home of Christ. It was a night almost like every other night. The stars were shining, the world dreadfully continuing in the pain of sin.

Then Jesus came. The moment of his birth brought untold joy from those immediately present, the shepherds soon to worship, and even those across distant lands who saw the sign of His appearing!

But why all the rejoicing?

The birth of Christ was God's promise kept. For thousands of years, mankind had to believe only by faith that God was Who He said He was, that God loved them, and that God would deliver them from the curse of sin.

Imagine the feeling of validation and worth when God in the flesh, the only hope for your eternal well-being, appears for the express purpose of making a way for you to have a glorious eternity. What a wonderful thrill! The birth of Christ brings hope to everyone that hears of it!

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!

In the East, likely a country-side in Iran, resided a wealthy astronomer who was going about his daily life. However, he noticed something different in the sky one night. He saw a star that had not been there before. Along with his colleagues, he concluded that this miraculous appearance was an indication that the Messiah had come. In faith, they traveled almost a thousand miles in hopes of finding the Savior.

Imagine the warmth in their weary hearts, the fulfillment in their souls, when by the side of Jesus they finally stood. It was a humble place, for Jesus came to love, save, and die, not to be served, to be loved, and to be honored. Yet somehow He was still the King above all kings. The Creator and Ruler of the universe was residing in a lowly home in the small town of Bethlehem.

We have not a prophet who is aloof from our struggles or above our frailties. Jesus suffered, hungered, was rejected of men, dealt with the weakness of the flesh, yet rose above it all in victory and is ready and willing to share that victory with you and me.

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!

Christ's charitable act of compassion is the ultimate example of love. He left a beautiful, perfect place in Heaven, in the comfort of the presence of His Father, to come to a world that had changed so much from how He created it. He was a stranger in His own creation, yet he rose above this to demonstrate His love and pity for mankind.

While on Earth, He was asked what is the greatest commandment. He replied with the simple command to love God. But He didn't finish there. He extended this commandment to include another: love people. All the laws in Scripture had just been summarized into two simple and equal commandments of love.

Christ died for all men, for all men are created in His image. One day, all oppression shall cease, when Christ has returned and rules the world in glory and honor.

This Christmas, let us be increasingly thankful for the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Savior. Let us share His love with everyone we meet.

Merry Christmas!

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Aaron Dempsey

I Corinthians 15:58