Lyrics
Verse 1
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 appeared and the Soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Chorus
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, Oh night when Christ was born;
Verse 2
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! Oh praise His name forever!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
Chorus
O night divine, Oh night when Christ was born;
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, Oh night when Christ was Born;
O night divine, Oh night, O night divine;
O night divine
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
O Holy Night is a Christmas carol that celebrates the birth of the Savior and its meaning for a weary world. The first verse describes the stars shining on the night of the Savior's birth, the long age of sin and error, and a thrill of hope as a new and glorious morning breaks. The refrain urges listeners to fall on their knees and hear the angel voices, calling it the divine night when Christ was born.
The second verse says that Christ taught love for one another, that His law is love and His gospel is peace, that chains shall break and oppression shall cease in His name, and that joyful hymns should rise in thanks. It ends with praise for Christ the Lord, whose power and glory are proclaimed forever. The ideas follow Luke 2:13-14 on the angels' song, John 13:34 on the command to love, and Philemon 1:16 on a slave becoming a brother. The soaring melody and refrain give the carol a reverent, joyful tone.
Related Scripture
- Luke 2:13-14 A multitude of the heavenly host praises God and announces peace on earth.
- John 13:34 Jesus gives His followers a new commandment to love one another.
- Philemon 1:16 Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus as a beloved brother, no longer a slave.