O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
by Adolphe Adam. English lyrics by clergyman John Sullivan Dwight
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Til 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 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 weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
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.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
and performed by Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo
This hymn, often sung at midnight on Christmas Eve, goes by several different names: “Minuit, Chrétiens” meaning “Midnight, Christians”, the “Cantique de Noël” meaning “Christmas Hymn,” and “O Holy Night.” It reverently calls us to the manger, to see the King of kings and worship Him.
Principle: Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Aim: To understand that Jesus is the Holy One, the only Divine Son of God, and that He came to save us. He lived life as the perfect “second Adam” who paid for the sins of the first Adam and Eve. Aim to worship Him only!
At Christmas, a prayer: Lord God, we praise You that this hymn reminds us of the holiness of that moment when Your only Son Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Man, Son of God was born. Only this one time in all of human history did such holiness break into our world for salvation purposes and offer us such glorious hope. We praise You that the story does not end here at Your birth but You inaugurated hope to a weary world. That is because You came to die for the wretchedness of mankind, for Your people steeped in sin and violence. But now for those who love and follow You by repentance and believing the good news, we will see the New Heaven and New Earth where there will finally be Peace forever, and we will worship You, exalt You, glorify You as our Prince of Peace and King of kings! Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.