Acappella - O Holy Night Lyrics
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 error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary soul 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, O holy night
O night divine
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break the slave is still 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
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night, O holy night
O night divine
O night, O holy night
O night divine
Scriptural Reference:
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11
Video
O Holy Night (A Capella) | MattNickleMusic
Meaning & Inspiration
The Acappella rendition of "O Holy Night" on their 1999 album, *Family Christmas*, offers a profoundly moving interpretation of this timeless Christmas carol, focusing squarely on its rich theological message. The song's narrative, deeply rooted in the anticipation and miraculous event of Christ's birth, transcends mere sentimentality to articulate a powerful message of redemption and hope. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world "in sin and error pining," a state of spiritual darkness that characterized humanity before the advent of Jesus. This powerful depiction resonates with the prophecy found in Isaiah 9:2, which speaks of a people walking in darkness seeing a great light. The song then pivots to the transformative impact of Christ's arrival, where "the soul felt its worth," a profound truth echoed in John 3:16, reminding us that God sent His Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. The lyrical phrase, "A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices," beautifully captures the spiritual awakening that accompanies faith in Christ, mirroring the joy described in the Magnificat, where Mary proclaimed, "My soul glorifies the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47). The exhortation to "Fall on your knees" and "hear the angel voices" directly references the celestial announcement to the shepherds, as recorded in Luke 2:8-14, where a multitude of the heavenly host praised God. The message further emphasizes Christ's mission to bring about love and peace, declaring, "Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace." This central tenet of Christian teaching is the very essence of the teachings of Jesus Himself, as He stated, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). The powerful declaration that "Chains shall He break the slave is still our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease" speaks directly to the liberating power of the Gospel. Christ's ministry was one of freeing captives, both spiritually and, in a broader sense, from all forms of bondage, as He Himself declared, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free" (Luke 4:18). This Acappella arrangement, by stripping away instrumental accompaniment, allows the clarity and depth of these scriptural truths to shine through, inviting listeners to reflect on the profound significance of that holy night and the enduring message of love, hope, and freedom that Christ's birth bestowed upon the world.