Patti LaBelle - Silent Night Lyrics
Lyrics
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, All is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so Tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night, holy night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light!
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King!
Christ the Savior is here,
Jesus the Savior is here!
Silent night, Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord at thy birth;
Jesus Lord at thy birth.
Video
Patti Labelle - O Holy Night
Meaning & Inspiration
Patti LaBelle's rendition of "O Holy Night," released on December 10, 2010, arrives as a potent testament to the enduring power of this beloved Christmas carol. While the song's melody carries an inherent majesty, it is LaBelle's interpretation that truly excavates the profound theological weight embedded within its familiar verses. From the opening declaration, "Silent night, holy night," the song immediately grounds us in the miraculous stillness of Bethlehem. This hush is not merely an absence of noise but a sacred silence pregnant with divine purpose, a stillness that allowed humanity to finally hear the whispers of eternity. The lyrics paint a picture of unparalleled peace and radiant joy, a stark contrast to the often chaotic world we inhabit, reminding us that in that first Christmas, heaven's light spilled onto earth, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
The narrative then shifts to the shepherds, their initial trepidation ("Shepherds quake at the sight") giving way to awe as "glories stream from heaven afar." This encounter directly echoes the annunciation to the shepherds found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 8-9, where an angel of the Lord appeared, and "the glory of the Lord shone around them." The heavenly hosts' song of praise, "Al-le-lu-ia!", signifies the cosmic announcement of the birth of Christ the Savior. This moment, as depicted in the carol, is not just a historical event but a cosmic turning point, the very arrival of the promised Messiah, fulfilling ancient prophecies and ushering in a new era of redemption.
The song further invites us to participate in this celestial celebration, urging us to join the angels in singing "Alleluia to our King!" The star's luminescence, a "wondrous star," serves as a beacon, guiding us and all creation towards the newborn King. This imagery aligns with the star of Bethlehem that led the wise men, as described in Matthew chapter 2, verse 10: "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." LaBelle's delivery imbues this section with a passionate urgency, urging listeners to recognize Jesus not merely as an infant, but as the divine Son of God, "love's pure light." The phrase "radiant beams from Thy holy face" evokes the very presence of God made manifest, illuminating the path of "redeeming grace" that His birth represents. The final declaration, "Jesus Lord at thy birth," transcends the joy of a nativity scene, proclaiming the ultimate sovereignty and divinity of the child Jesus, who came to reconcile humanity to God, as illuminated by scriptures like 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 19, which speaks of God being "in Christ reconciling the world to himself." Patti LaBelle’s performance elevates "O Holy Night" from a Christmas carol to a profound theological declaration, a powerful reminder of the divine love and redemptive hope that burst forth on that most holy night.