O Holy Night

It's the time of Christmas. It's the time to recognize that God came into the history of mankind and changed the world. It's the time remember the first coming of Jesus and to prepare ourselves for His second coming. It is not about the holiday season for family, parties or friends. It's solely about Jesus.

I like this hymn "O Holy Night" - not just that the lyrics are meaningful, but the melody also creates the mood of longing before Christ came into this world. We do need to calm ourselves down, have a period of silence and wait for this important moment for the King of Kings to come. Let the impact stay in our hearts and influence our lives.

A little background about this hymn:
Placide Clappeau, an elderly wine merchant and mayor of Roquemaure in France, wrote poems for his own enjoyment. One of these poems, written in 1847, became the text of the beloved Christmas praise hymn O Holy Night. Adolphe Adam, a Parisian composer, composed the music. It was the baritone Faure who made the song famous. It could be heard as far away as Louisiana at the Midnight Mass celebrated in the Cathedral of Saint Louis in New Orleans where Acadians and Creoles of French ancestry gathered together.

Lyrics:
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour'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!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, 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 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,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!