O holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appear'd 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
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, o praise His name forever
His power and glory, evermore proclaim
God with us, Emmanuel
O night, O night divine
O Holy Night
O Holy Night Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The carol "O Holy Night" stands as a timeless expression of the significance of Christ's birth, its powerful message resonating through centuries. Chris Tomlin offers his interpretation of this revered hymn, contributing to its enduring legacy. The song video for this rendition was released on December 10, 2021, providing a visual dimension to the contemplative and celebratory nature of the music.
The initial verses of the song focus on the night of Jesus' birth itself, portraying it as a pivotal moment in history. It contrasts the world's state of "sin and error pining" before the Savior's arrival with the subsequent dawning of hope and the realization of the soul's inherent worth. The arrival of Christ is depicted as a "new and glorious morn," prompting a call to worship, urging listeners to "Fall on your knees" and hear the "angel voices," emphasizing the divine nature of the event, a theme central to the nativity accounts found in scripture such as Luke 2:1-20. The phrase "O night divine, O night when Christ was born" encapsulates the sacredness attributed to this historical event.
The song then shifts to the impact of Christ's life and teachings. It proclaims that He "taught us to love one another," highlighting love as His fundamental law and peace as the essence of His gospel. This reflects core teachings found in scripture, including Jesus' commandment in John 13:34-35 and the message of reconciliation and peace described in passages like Ephesians 2:14-17. The lyrics declare that Christ will "break for the slave is our brother," and in His name "all oppression shall cease." This speaks to a message of liberation, equality, and justice inherent in the Christian message, echoing themes present in scriptures such as Isaiah 61:1, which Jesus references in Luke 4:18-19, and the Apostle Paul's message of unity in Galatians 3:28. The final lines call for universal praise and proclamation of Christ's power and glory, culminating in the profound declaration "God with us, Emmanuel," a name directly referenced in Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23, signifying the divine presence made manifest in Jesus.
