Steven Curtis Chapman - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Lyrics

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Video

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear by Steven Curtis Chapman: A Deep Dive into the Meaning and Biblical Analysis

Introduction:

"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" is a classic Christmas carol that has been performed and recorded by numerous artists over the years. We will delve into the main key messages of the song, analyze its meaning, and critically evaluate its biblical references.

Verse 1:

It came upon a midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold

The song begins by setting the scene of a peaceful and serene night. The reference to the "midnight clear" implies a sense of calmness and stillness. The "glorious song of old" refers to the angelic proclamation of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior. The angels, depicted as bending near the earth, symbolize their closeness to humanity and their role in delivering the message of hope and salvation. Their harps of gold signify the heavenly nature of their message.

Chorus:

Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From Heaven's all-gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing

The chorus emphasizes the central message of the song – peace on earth and goodwill to all men. It highlights the divine origin of this message, coming from the "all-gracious King" in Heaven. The phrase "the world in solemn stillness lay" portrays the attentive and reverent response of humanity to the angelic proclamation. It suggests that in the presence of this divine message, all worldly distractions fade away, and people focus on hearing the angels sing.

Verse 2:

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long
Beneath the angel's strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong

In this verse, the song acknowledges the reality of human suffering and the presence of sin and strife in the world. It recognizes that despite the angelic proclamation of peace, humanity has been plagued by the consequences of sin for centuries. The line "beneath the angel's strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong" refers to the time that has passed since the birth of Christ and the ongoing struggle against sin and its effects on the world.

Verse 3:

And man, at war with man, hears not
The love song which they bring
Oh hush the noise, ye men of strife
And hear the angels sing

This verse highlights the sad reality that despite the message of love and peace brought by the angels, humanity often fails to hear or heed this message. The constant conflicts and divisions among people prevent them from embracing the love song of the angels. The plea to "hush the noise, ye men of strife" is a call for individuals to put aside their differences and open their hearts to receive the message of peace and love.

Verse 4:

And ye, beneath life's crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow

This verse acknowledges the struggles and burdens carried by individuals in their daily lives. It recognizes those who are weighed down by the challenges and hardships they face. The imagery of "forms bending low" and "toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow" depicts the physical and emotional toll that life's difficulties can have on a person.

Verse 5:

Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing
Oh, rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing

In this final verse, the song offers a message of hope and encouragement. It urges individuals to look for moments of joy and peace that can come unexpectedly. The phrase "rest beside the weary road" suggests finding solace and comfort amidst life's struggles. It once again reminds listeners to open their hearts and listen to the angels' song of peace and love.

Meaning and Inspiration:

"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" is a song that conveys a message of hope, peace, and love. It acknowledges the brokenness of the world and the struggles faced by individuals, while also offering the promise of redemption and restoration. The song encourages listeners to embrace the message of peace and to find solace in the midst of life's difficulties.

The inspiration for this song comes from the traditional Christmas narrative found in the Bible. The lyrics draw from the angelic proclamation to the shepherds in Luke 2:14, which states, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." Steven Curtis Chapman's rendition of the song captures the essence of this biblical message and seeks to remind listeners of the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Biblical Analysis:

From a biblical perspective, "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" aligns with the central themes of peace, love, and hope found throughout the Scriptures. The song emphasizes the divine origin of peace and goodwill towards all men, echoing the teachings of Jesus Christ. In John 14:27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." The song's message encourages individuals to find rest and peace in Jesus, even in the midst of life's challenges.

Additionally, the acknowledgment of sin and strife in the world reflects the biblical narrative of humanity's fallen nature and the need for redemption. Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The song recognizes the ongoing struggle against sin and the longing for restoration that is fulfilled through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" by Steven Curtis Chapman beautifully captures the essence of the Christmas message – the proclamation of peace and goodwill towards all men. The song acknowledges the brokenness of the world, the struggles faced by individuals, and the ongoing battle against sin. It urges listeners to open their hearts, find solace in the midst of life's difficulties, and embrace the message of peace and love brought by the angels. From a biblical perspective, the song aligns with the teachings of Jesus Christ and echoes the biblical themes of peace, hope, and redemption. It serves as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and the transformative power of Christ's birth.