BeBe Winans - O Holy Night Lyrics
Lyrics
Oh holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the 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
Oh hear the angel's voices
Oh night divine
Oh night, when Christ was born
Oh night, oh holy night
Oh night, oh night divine
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
Oh praise His name forever
His power and glory forever more proclaim
Oh night, oh holy night
Oh oh oh night, oh night divine
Video
O Holy Night
Meaning & Inspiration
BeBe Winans’ rendition of "O Holy Night," released on November 18, 2003, as part of his album *My Christmas Prayer*, serves as a powerful spiritual anchor in the festive season. This timeless carol, with roots stretching back to a French poem by Placide Cappeau and set to music by Adolphe Adam, gained its widespread English familiarity through John Sullivan Dwight’s poignant translation. Winans steps into this rich history, not merely performing a song, but delivering a profound theological statement, channeling its message through his distinctive vocal artistry to re-introduce the wonder and gravity of the Christmas narrative to a contemporary audience.
The hymn opens by painting a cosmic scene, "The stars are brightly shining," immediately elevating the birth of Christ to an event of universal significance. The lines that follow, "Long lay the world in sin and error, pining / Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth," resonate deeply with the Scriptural account of humanity's fallen state. Romans 3:23 reminds us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," and this song articulates the collective yearning for redemption that precedes Christ’s arrival. His appearance, therefore, is not just a historical moment, but a redemptive turning point where every soul is re-imbued with divine worth, a testament to God's love for us "while we were still sinners," as Romans 5:8 declares. The subsequent declaration of "A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices" echoes the angelic announcement of "good news of great joy for all the people" found in Luke 2:10-11, offering solace and renewal to those burdened by life's struggles, inviting all to find rest in Him, as Matthew 11:28 promises. The call to "Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel's voices" is a compelling invitation to reverence and worship, a profound echo of Philippians 2:10-11, where "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow."
The song progresses beyond the initial awe of the Nativity to explore the practical implications of Christ’s life and teachings. "Truly He taught us to love one another / His law is love and His gospel is peace" encapsulates the very essence of Christ’s ministry. This reflects Jesus’ command in John 13:34, "A new command I give you: Love one another," and the summary of the law in Matthew 22:37-39. The message of peace, too, is central, aligning with Romans 5:1, which speaks of peace with God through faith in Christ, and Ephesians 2:14, where He Himself "is our peace." Perhaps the most socially impactful lines, "Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother / And in His name, all oppression shall cease," powerfully connect Christ's liberating work to real-world justice. This passage aligns directly with Isaiah 61:1, which Jesus quotes in Luke 4:18-19, stating His mission to "proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free." It speaks to the dismantling of all forms of bondage—spiritual, social, and systemic—and emphasizes the foundational truth of human equality and brotherhood under God, a truth affirmed in Galatians 3:28 that "there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
The final stanzas serve as a joyous call to worship and proclamation: "Sweet hymns of joy, in grateful chorus raise we / Let all within us praise His holy name." This is a direct exhortation to praise, mirroring Psalm 100:1-2, "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." The definitive statement, "Christ is the Lord, Oh praise His name forever / His power and glory forever more proclaim," affirms His sovereignty and everlasting reign, inviting believers to constantly declare His magnificent works, echoing the celestial worship described in Revelation 5:13, where "every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!'" BeBe Winans' performance, though focused on the message, infuses these words with a rich, soul-stirring conviction that elevates the song from a seasonal favorite to a deeply spiritual experience. His interpretation amplifies the hope, the justice, and the profound love inherent in the Christmas story, inviting all to acknowledge the transformative power of that "holy night" and its enduring impact on humanity.