Katherine Jenkins - O Holy Night Lyrics
Lyrics
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long live 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, o night when Christ was born!
O night divine, o 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, 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! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born!
O night divine, o night, o night divine!
Video
O Holy Night (From ''Katherine Jenkins: Christmas Spectacular'' Soundtrack / Live From The...
Meaning & Inspiration
Katherine Jenkins' rendition of "O Holy Night," featured on her 2009 album *Believe Platinum Edition*, transcends mere musical performance to become a profound theological statement, beautifully capturing the transformative essence of Christ's birth. This timeless carol, originally penned by Placide Cappeau and set to music by Adolphe Adam, carries a message that resonates deeply with the core tenets of Christian faith, speaking of liberation, hope, and the divine love that reconciles humanity to God. The lyrics, penned in 1847, articulate a world steeped in spiritual darkness and societal bondage, a state of "sin and error pining," which finds its redemption in the advent of Christ. The phrase "Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth" is a powerful testament to the inherent value and dignity that God bestows upon every individual, a concept central to biblical teaching. This rediscovery of self-worth is directly echoed in verses like Psalm 139:14, which declares, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
The carol's profound impact lies in its articulation of a "thrill of hope" that animates the weary world. This is not a transient optimism, but a profound spiritual renewal born from the knowledge that Christ's arrival signals a "new and glorious morn." This imagery directly parallels the prophetic declarations of Isaiah, who foretold a time when light would break through darkness, stating in Isaiah 9:2, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned." The imperative "Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!" is an invitation to humility and worship, recognizing the celestial announcement of this sacred night. The recurring refrain, "O night divine, o night when Christ was born!" serves as a liturgical anchor, continuously returning us to the central miracle of the Incarnation.
Jenkins' interpretation thoughtfully emphasizes the ethical and social implications of the Nativity. The lyrics move beyond mere celebration to an embrace of Christ's teachings: "Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace." This aligns perfectly with Jesus' own summary of the law in Matthew 22:37-40, where he highlights the commands to love God and love one's neighbor. The declaration that "Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease" speaks to the revolutionary nature of the Gospel, which inherently challenges injustice and affirms the spiritual equality of all people before God. This prophetic vision finds its roots in passages like Galatians 3:28, which proclaims 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 call to "Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name" is a direct exhortation to communal worship and personal devotion, reflecting the Psalmist's plea in Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." The ultimate affirmation, "Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we, His power and glory ever more proclaim!" solidifies the carol's unwavering focus on the sovereignty and majesty of Jesus Christ, echoing the early Church's confession in Philippians 2:11: "and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Jenkins’ performance, by focusing on the profound spiritual and social liberation inherent in the Christmas story, offers an inspiring and deeply moving reminder of the transformative power of Christ’s birth, encouraging listeners to internalize its message of hope, love, and redemption.