Kerrie Roberts - O Holy Night Lyrics
Lyrics
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit 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, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we 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!
Video
Kerrie Roberts: "O Holy Night" Performance Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Kerrie Roberts' rendition of "O Holy Night," released on December 8, 2010, offers a profound and deeply moving engagement with the timeless message of Christ's birth. More than just a musical performance, this interpretation is a compelling affirmation of the song's core spiritual significance, drawing a direct line from the ancient prophecy to the transformative power of faith today. The lyrics themselves paint a vivid picture of a world steeped in darkness, "in sin and error pining," a stark reminder of humanity's fallen state, echoing Isaiah's prophecy of a great light shining in the darkness (Isaiah 9:2). Roberts' vocal delivery, while imbued with emotion, remains focused on conveying the gravity and hope encapsulated within the narrative. The "thrill of hope" isn't merely an emotional surge; it represents the divine intervention that offers a "new and glorious morn," a concept deeply rooted in the promise of redemption and the dawn of a new covenant, as spoken of by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
The call to "fall on your knees" and "hear the angel voices" is not just a poetic image but an invitation to humble reverence, a posture of worship that acknowledges the divine presence. This act of bowing before the King of Kings, who "lay thus lowly manger," underscores the radical humility of God's incarnation. Scripture repeatedly calls for this kind of submission, not out of coercion, but out of recognition of His supreme authority and loving sacrifice (Philippians 2:5-11). The second verse beautifully articulates the personal nature of Christ's coming. He is "born to be our friends," a testament to His empathetic nature, who "knows our need, our weakness is no stranger" (Hebrews 4:15). This understanding of our human frailty, that He who created us fully comprehends our struggles, is a cornerstone of Christian theology, assuring us of His constant companionship and unfailing support.
The final stanza expands the scope of Christ's mission beyond the stable at Bethlehem, emphasizing His teachings of love and peace. The revolutionary message that "He taught us to love one another" and that "His law is love and His gospel is peace" directly reflects the core of Jesus' ministry, as summarized in the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40). The powerful declaration that "chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother" speaks to the liberating power of Christ's sacrifice, freeing us from the bondage of sin and all forms of oppression, aligning with Paul's assertion that in Christ there is "neither slave nor free" (Galatians 3:28). This is a message of radical equality and redemption that transcends societal structures. Ultimately, Roberts' performance is a vibrant proclamation, urging us to raise "sweet hymns of joy" and to eternally praise His holy name, for "Christ is the Lord!" This is a call to ongoing worship and a steadfast declaration of His eternal reign, echoing the heavenly chorus described in Revelation (Revelation 19:6).