On Friday, November 11, Michael Tait released a beautiful version of the song 'O Holy Night'.
Every Christmas, we can think back on the night of Jesus' birth by listening to the lyrics to 'O Holy Night.' Undoubtedly, many of us have enjoyed listening to this lovely song in our church's sanctuary or on the radio around Christmas.
But what do we know about the origins and story of this song? Placide Cappeau, a French poet, wrote the song in 1843. The song has a beautiful meaning, and it's fascinating to learn how Placide Cappeau came to write these lyrics, and how God can use anyone, whether a Jewish musician or a man who walked away from his faith, to spread the good news of our Savior's birth.
The song is inspired by Luke 2:4-12, which describes the night of Jesus' birth. However, once we understand the song's history, the lyrics reveal something else beneath the surface. That God's message can still be heard through a man who lost his faith and a Jewish man who composed the music. God was able to spread the lyrics around the world by using the vessel of the American abolitionist Dwight. So that every Christmas, when we hear the lyrics to 'O Holy Night,' we can remember the night Jesus was born.
'O Holy Night,' as the song goes, reminds us that Jesus, holy Jesus, was born in a manger. Through Jesus' humble beginnings, we are reminded to love mankind. We kneel down before him in awe and worship. And we remember the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus beneath a sky full of stars. On that beautiful, holy night, the same stars pointed to the Savior of the world.
'But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.' - Micah 5:2
Lyrics:
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 ever pining
'Til 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 divine, o night, o night divine
Christ is the Lord, o praise His forever
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
Fall on your knees, o hear the angel voices
O night when Christ was born
O night divine, o night, o night divine
The official audio can be heard below.
You can listen to the track on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/5Ryloi6CCsqTdazyxQYLJi
Here is a link to the video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKGHHiAgn7Y
Would you like to hear more CCM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists