O Holy Night (first stanza)
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 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!
If I had to choose one song to hear at Christmas, it would without question be O Holy Night. I only came to this realization in recent years. For me, the lyrics cut through all the extraneous noise and clutter of the season and perfectly summarizes its true meaning. The song, when performed well, gives me goosebumps. I feel the Holy Spirit.
I enjoy many aspects of Advent and Christmas with family and friends. But my favorite time is on Christmas Eve when I can spend just a little bit of contemplative time without other people—just God and me. I think about blessings and hope. I think about that feeling that O Holy Night gives me about what God has done, and will do, for us.
O Holy Night is best suited for singers with powerful voices and dramatic range—a group which comprises a select few. I listened to several versions in thinking about this devotional, and I highly recommend performances by Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Kate Smith, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion and Charlotte Church. Find some quiet time, close your eyes, and listen to God.
We are a weary world that needs the thrill of hope. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
God, our Shepherd, We give you thanks and praise for the incredible gift of the “night divine.” Help us to hear you through the sounds of Christmas. Amen.
David MacMillan
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