We just learned about the Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
Another famous Christmas song is O Holy Night.
The words for this song were first written in 1843 by a French poet named Placide Cappeau.
In Roquemare France the church organ had been fixed, and the priest asked Placide to write a poem to celebrate.
In French the poem started with the words "Minuit, chrétiens! c'est l'heure solennelle" which means "Midnight, Christians, is the solemn hour".
In 1847 a musician named Adolphe Adam wrote the music to go with the poem.
After it became famous in France, it was later written in English by John Sullivan Dwight in 1855.
The song was very popular in parts of America during the Civil War with people who thought slavery was bad,
because of the words from the song: "Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,"
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 soul 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! O night when Christ was born.
O night, O holy night, O night divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming; With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand:
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here come the wise men from Orient land,
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our friend;
He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger! Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King! before him bend!
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, then ever! ever praise we! His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim!
His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim!
(from: wikipedia - o holy night)
Josh Groban - O Holy Night [with lyrics] - Worship Videos
Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Avignon Papacy
