December 18, 2020 (Friday)
The word, “Noel,” appears in this beautiful song about our Savior. It comes from a word meaning “to be born,” and has passed into our language as “the birth of Christ” or “Christmas.”
Jesus established “The Lord’s Supper” as a ceremony that memorializes his death on the Cross which provides redemption for all who will accept Him as Savior. He emphasized his resurrection by telling us, “Because I live, you shall live.” But there is no Biblical commandment to celebrate His birth. That came about as Christians came to understand what a miracle the birth of Jesus is, God becoming man, and felt the need to remember that special birth, in a special way, reminding ourselves of the great miracle of the Incarnation. This song focuses upon the birth of Christ and all that it means to us.
O HOLY NIGHT
Author: Placide Cappeau
Translator: John S. Dwight
1847
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 soul 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!]
Josh’s version:
Noel, Noel, O night, O night divine!
Noel, Noel, O night, O night divine!
Noel, Noel, O night, O night divine!
Click here to hear Handel’s “The Messiah” in its entirety (You may like to bookmark the page)