Cantique de Noel

I can never get enough beautiful Christmas music. Each year as I listen or as I pull out my favorites I'm always amazed at the deep lyrics of a lot of the Christmas hymns. (I say hymns because Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer while funny, isn't very spiritual. Unless there is some underlying symbolism I'm not aware of.)

It's hard to say if I have a favorite Christmas song. The First Noel, Jesu Bambino, I Wonder as I Wander, and Angles We Have Heard on High are all high on my list. (And many others I haven't mentioned.) But one song year after year I'm anxious to pull out and sing again and again. It is known under various names: Cantique de Noel, Christmas Song, or O Holy Night.

When was the last time you read all the lyrics on this song? Well, you get the opportunity to now.

O Holy Night

O holy night! the stars are brightly shinning,
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! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night divine!

Led by the light of a Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts, by His cradle we stand;
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from the 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 the Lowly bend!
Behold 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!

I always struggle to get through the second verse (and it isn't because of the notes!). "Behold your King! before the Lowly bend!" I'm grateful for these beautiful songs to help remind me what we are really celebrating this year.

Merry Christmas!!