Carrie Underwood - O Holy Night Lyrics
Released: 01 Jan 2005
Lyrics
Verse 1
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
'Til 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
O hear the Angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night
O night divine
Verse 2
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for his child 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
Their name forever praise we
Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O holy night
Video
Carrie Underwood - O Holy Night (2021 Carols in the Domain)
Meaning & Inspiration
Carrie Underwood’s performance of the timeless carol "O Holy Night" from the 2021 Carols in the Domain event, released on December 23, 2021, delivers a powerful and reflective interpretation of the song's profound Christmas message. This beloved hymn, originally penned in French in the mid-19th century, recounts the pivotal night of Jesus Christ's birth in Bethlehem, a moment that shifted the course of history and brought divine light into human darkness. It calls everyone to witness and worship this extraordinary event, recognizing its immense spiritual significance.
Underwood approaches this classic with a reverence that honors its sacred theme. Her vocal command allows her to navigate the song's dynamic range, moving from quiet awe to triumphant declaration without sacrificing clarity or emotional weight. Rather than simply showcasing vocal prowess, her delivery focuses on conveying the depth of the narrative—the quiet wonder of the Savior's arrival and the transformative power of His presence. The performance invites us to pause and contemplate the scene described in Luke 2, where shepherds were given the incredible news of a Savior born, Christ the Lord, and found Him lying in a manger, just as the angel had told them. This heavenly announcement led to a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased."
The song's stirring call to "Fall on your knees" resonates deeply with the response Scripture encourages when encountering God's majesty and grace. As Philippians 2:10-11 states, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This physical posture symbolizes a heart posture of humility and worship before the One who left His heavenly throne to become human. The line declaring "a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices" speaks directly to the condition of humanity awaiting salvation. Isaiah 9:2 foretold this, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone." Jesus Himself later proclaimed in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The arrival of Christ was the breaking of that "new and glorious morn," pushing back the shadows of sin and despair with the dawning of God's grace.
Furthermore, the hymn's middle section pivots to the impact of Christ's life and teachings, noting that "Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace." This reflects Jesus' own commandment in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." His entire ministry exemplified God's character, which 1 John 4:8 tells us is love. The "gospel of peace" is the message of reconciliation with God through Christ's sacrifice, as described in Ephesians 2:14-17, breaking down barriers and creating peace. The powerful lines "Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease" point towards the redemptive work of Christ. He frees us from the bondage of sin, fulfilling His promise in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed." In Christ, the old societal divisions are dissolved, as Galatians 3:28 affirms, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." The vision of oppression ceasing in His name looks forward to the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom, where Christ's reign brings justice and renewal, a promise echoed in Revelation 21:4 where God will wipe away every tear and death and sorrow will be no more. Underwood’s rendition, particularly in its soaring finale, carries this weight of hope and the coming fulfillment of God's promises, making her performance not just a vocal showcase, but a genuine expression of faith in the transformative power of the Christmas story.