‘O Holy Night’

By Van Fried

What a blessing to remember that night so long ago when a young virgin girl named Mary gave birth to the Savior of the world, our world, for all of us, everywhere, every nation, every tribe, every country, every state, every city, and every town. Now, take a moment to imagine yourself in that stable, with the donkeys, cows, horses, the hay, the smell, the cold, and the dampness where this young virgin girl was in labor, giving birth for the first time. Beside her was Joseph, the man who would raise her son Jesus, and be his stepfather.

This was a holy night…a night to remember, always, for all people!

In 1847, a French wine merchant Placide Cappeau was asked to write a poem for the Christmas mass. Placide was an atheist but he drew his inspiration from the Book of Luke. He imagined what it would be like on the night of Jesus’ birth. ‘Cantique de Noel’ was the result. 

The Lyrics for ‘O Holy Night’ written by Placide Cappeau

“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 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!”

Placide then took the poem to his Jewish friend and famous composer Adolphe Adam and the carol was played on Christmas Eve. It became an instant hit in the French churches. A decade later, the English lyrics were later written by minister John Sullivan Dwight. Dwight discovered this carol and brought it over to America. He took the liberty to translate and amend some of the lyrics to give it more reverence to Jesus, his Savior. 

Dwight strongly identified with the lines of the third verse: “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.”

On Christmas Eve of 1906, Reginald Fessenden, former chief chemist for Thomas Edison, did something thought previously impossible. Using a new type of generator, Fessenden spoke into a microphone and, for the first time in history, a man’s voice was broadcast over the airwaves. Reginald read from the gospel of Luke, much to the astonishment of radio operators on ships and astonished wireless owners at newspapers. It was a Christmas Eve miracle. 

After his recital on the birth of Christ, Reginald played ‘O Holy Night’. 

It became the first song ever to be played on the airwaves!

God used an atheist, Placide Cappeau, a Jew, Adolphe Adam, who was a famous composer, and John Sullivan Dwight, an ardent abolitionist to give us this song, ‘O Holy Night, celebrating the birth of Christ. 

God can use you too! Merry Christmas!

Blessings, 

Van