O Holy Night
The Christmas season brings an array of songs we can sing to help us enjoy the fun and frivolity of the holiday, such as Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland, It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Here Comes Santa Claus, and many others. Others remind us of why we celebrate Christmas and help us focus on the story of the nativity, the mission of Jesus, and serving our fellow humans.
Of such is the story of Cantique De Noel, or in English, O Holy Night.
In 1847, Placide Cappeau was traveling to Paris by stagecoach when he read the second chapter in the book of Luke. His local parish priest asked him to write a poem about the Savior’s birth. It was a strange request because Placide was an atheist and socialist. But as he read the story and considered the request, he penned what he called Minuit Chretien.
The poem moved him so deeply that he asked his friend, Adolphe Charles Adam, to set the words to music. Adam was not a Christian either but was of the Jewish faith. The song and poem were first performed together on Christmas Eve just three weeks later.
The song Cantique De Noel enjoyed widespread popularity at first and was loved by the French people. However, the Catholic church banned the song when the author and composer’s backgrounds came to light, causing it to fall into public obscurity. But despite the ban, the song continued to be sung in private Christmas observances by some of France’s citizens.
An American, John Sullivan Dwight, who believed all enslaved people should be freed and treated as human beings, translated “O Holy Night” into English and introduced the song to the United States.
The song fit his ideals, especially the lines that read in English, “Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother; and in his name, all oppression shall cease.” From that time forward, O Holy Night continued to grow in popularity and is now one of the most cherished hymns of Christmas.
The Master Himself taught:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
(Matthew 5:3–9)
