What To Know About the Christmas Carol, O Holy Night

The Christmas Carol, “O Holy Night” has a rich and powerful history.  The lyrics were penned in 1847 by Frenchman poet, Placide Cappeau, in response to a request by a priest for a Christmas service.  Feeling inadequate to the task, he read the Gospel of Luke for inspiration. He envisioned what it might have been like to have been in Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus.  From there, he penned the now famous words to “Cantique de Noel”, or O Holy Night.  

Cappeau determined that “Cantique de Noel” would be even more powerful if set to music.  For help, he turned to well known composer Adolphe Charles Adams.  At first, Adams was reluctant to participate.  As a Jew, the celebration of the Christian savior did not appeal to him.  Still, something about the words of the poem inspired him, and thus he endeavored to compose an original score unlike anything that had been heard before.  It only took Adams three weeks to complete the work, and it was immediately performed at a Christmas Eve mass.

The carol was embraced quickly and was a popular song that was sung by church choirs in Europe at Christmastime…until a scandal hit.  Word had spread that Cappeau had left the church and that Adams was an unbeliever so, as a result, the beautiful song was banned from being sung in churches.  However, the song had found a place in the hearts of the people and it continued to be sung in homes and on the streets.

One interesting wartime story is often shared about this song. A French soldier fighting in the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 on Christmas Eve, stepped out of his trench and sang the three verses of “Cantique de Noel” while his fellow soldiers stared in amazement.  Upon completion of the song, a German soldier boldly emerged from hiding, approached the Frenchman and began to sing the Martin Luther written carol, “From Heaven above to Earth I come.”  It is said that for the next 24 hours, in honor of Christmas day, both sides ceased fighting.

While the song was banished by the Church in France, “Cantique de Noel” found its way to the ears of an obscure American minister, named John Sullivan Dwight.  He was instantly drawn to its inspiring words and beautiful musical score. As an ardent abolitionist, he was particularly drawn to the third verse.  He translated the song into English and its current set of lyrics.

Here is one more interesting piece of trivia about this beautiful carol.  It is the first song to be heard live over the radio!  In 1906, Canadian Reginald Fessenden (a former assistant to Thomas Edison), read the Luke 2 passage and finished with singing this carol.

Take a fresh look at this song and think of whom you can share these words who may be:

·         struggling with an addiction or habitual sin – He has appeared and given our lives worth

·         worn down with a weary soul – He breaks into our day with hope

·         going through lonely trials – He was born to be our constant friend

·         shackled with a sense of inferiority – He has brought freedom and brotherhood

O Holy Night!
The stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining; Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices; For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees; Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine; Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine; Oh 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

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

Merry Christmas from the Edfeldt household to yours and to ALL mankind!

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR EDUCATION STAFF: GBACE on January 18, 2018, keynote speaker, Dr. Alvin Reid - http://www.gbace.org/

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: On Track Conference, March 9 & 10, 2018, Hendersonville, TN - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/OnTrack?type=events

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: Create a bookmark on your device for the online LifeWay Church Resources 2017-18 catalog - http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Christian-Resources/Y/c/N-1z141jlZ1z10gjr

FOR SMALL GROUP LEADERS: “To Text or Not to Text” – sharpen your use of texting your group members - http://www.lifeway.com/groupministry/2017/10/30/to-text-or-not-to-text-the-question-of-staying-in-touch/?ecid=131937522&bid=1156617088

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Balanced Discipleship Plan: A Catalog of Studies to Develop Disciples - http://ministry-group.s3.amazonaws.com/groupministry/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/05/74038_At_A_Glance_FINAL.pdf

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Forgotten Jesus by Robbie Gallaty - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Forgotten-Jesus?cmpid=RDR-forgottenjesus

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FOR SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: Free “How to Lead a Small Group” workbook - http://www.lifeway.com/groupministry/2017/07/31/how-to-lead-a-small-group-free-workbook/?ecid=PDM57450&bid=1004181173

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: The Quest by Beth Moore - http://www.lifeway.com/n/product-family/the-quest-bible-study?emid=BSI-Quest-11212017&ecid=131937522&bid=1156617088

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: She Reads Truth Bible - http://www.lifeway.com/Keyword/she+reads+truth

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Women’s Devotional CD bundle deal – 10 for $5 - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/lifeway-women-audio-devotional-cd-volume-3-P005796871?intcmp=LWMain-NewRel3-LWWomenDevoCDVol3-20171127

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  2018 Events calendar - http://blog.lifeway.com/womenallaccess/2017/08/08/announcing-2018-events/?ecid=PDM57450&bid=1004181173

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Audio CD Devotions for Men on the move - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/devotions-for-men-audio-cds-P005632528

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: The Main Event, Mobile, AL, February 23 & 24, 2018 - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/mens-event-the-main-event-2018-mobile-al

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Temptation: Standing Strong Against Temptation by Kenny Luck - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/temptation-standing-strong-against-temptation-dvd-leader-kit-P005469694

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FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: D’Now resources - http://www.lifeway.com/Keyword/D'Now

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Summer Camp options - http://www.lifeway.com/n/students/camps?type=events&intcmp=LifewayStudents-MTX-ButtonHero-Camps-20140613

FOR PRETEEN MINISTRY: FLYTE, a curriculum for preteens and recommended by preteens - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/FLYTE?intcmp=LifewayKids-MTX-Image-FlytePreteen-20151001

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: 2018 Georgia Kids Ministry Summit, February 1 – 2 - https://gabaptistgroups.org/2018-kids-ministry-summit/?utm_content=buffer4adf9&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: VBS Jump Start Kit - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2018-jump-start-kit-P005793042

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: ZIP for Kids, an adaptable curriculum for Wednesdays, Day Camps, retreats, anytime! - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Zip-For-Kids?intcmp=LifewayKids-MTX-Image-ZipForKids-20151001

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: TeamKID for Kids in Discipleship, a year’s curriculum for discipling kids - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/TeamKID?intcmp=LifewayKids-MTX-Image-TeamKid-20151001

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kids Ministry 101 Podcasts -  http://buff.ly/2kPNDFV