Advent Meditation

Day 18 – O Holy Night
Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

What a beautiful hymn this is! The words were written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure at the request of his parish priest. He soon realized that the poem needed to be put to music, so de Roquemaure recruited his friend, Adolphe Charles Adams, to write the music. Is there any one of us who has not thrilled to hear it sung?

The three verses contain the why of Christ’s coming, the story of His birth and the work He came to do, with each exhorting hearers to fall on their knees and praise His holy name.

Words to ponder: Meditate on the words of the hymn and end by praising the Triune God in word and/or song.

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 friend.
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!