Driving home this Christmas season, I could not stop listening to the song "O Holy Night". The music is beautiful, but what really touches me is the lyrics. No Christmas songs brings me to a point of true worship like this song. The lyrics are amazing. The words are so perfect, not just speaking to the hope of Christmas, but of salvation. I wanted to dig deeper and find the origins of the song and share a little about what it means to me.
"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;"
Each time I hear these lines, I think of life before Christ. Not before the first Christmas; obviously I don't have any concept of the BC era. I think of the time in my life before Christ. I was pining for all the wrong things, stuck in my own sin, with no desire or hope for anything else in the world. I remember countless nights lying awake wondering and longing for a purpose. I felt life was pointless. Then Christ - suddenly He transformed my heart and my soul felt its worth. I had hope. I truly can’t help to fall on my knees and worship.
Now in the midst of walking the Christian life, I cling to these lyrics in the song -
"He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!"
How true! I so easily forget Christmas is about our Lord becoming human, (yet still fully God)
"For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He himself suffered when he was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted." (Heb. 2:17-18). He knows our weaknesses and trials, so easily I forget that He can help me through each struggle.
"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 last part meant little to me until I saw the film "Amazing Grace". If you haven't seen it, know that it is a must-see. It is the story of William Wilberforce and the end of the British slave trade. Even with what little I know about the battle to end the slave trade, I know that these lyrics were powerful and controversial for their time. Placide Cappeau, the writer of the poetic lyrics, was known for his extreme views against slavery. The song was often attacked not because of the lyrics, but because of his politics. Although I have no idea the specifics of his politics, I know that in 1847 claiming "Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother" would have caused many to be uneasy. How bold to include this truth in the midst of a worshipful Christmas song! I wonder how people reacted as they heard this third verse?
I learned that "O Holy Night" was the first song ever broadcast on the radio, on Christmas Eve 1906. Over 100 years later, we still hear it on the radio. It is such a nice break from the songs about Santa, presents and romance. I hope the song continues to remain a popular classic so that each Christmas I will be reminded of who Christ really is.
