For as long as I can remember my mom has sung O Holy Night on Christmas Eve at our church’s candlelight service. This Christmas tradition is the one I look forward to most during the holiday season. For many, myself included, it is not Christmas until she sings this song.

This year our pastor included in his meditation the story behind the poem entitled Cantique de Noel by Placide Cappeau. The poem was eventually composed into the song, O Holy Night, by Adolphe Charles Adams. Pastor Ryan spoke the lyrics before my mom sang them and I was moved to tears.

The text reflects on the birth of Jesus and on humanity’s redemption through Christ. Often times we get so accustomed to familiar melodies that we do not fully listen to the words.  This year the words rang louder in my ears. Hear them with me:

VERSE 1
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour’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

CHORUS 1
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born

VERSE 2
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains He shall 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

CHORUS 2
Christ is the Lord
O praise His Name forever
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim

CHORUS 3
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night divine

His law is love and His gospel is peace. Merry Christmas from all of us at Dv8 Kitchen.

Melissa