O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
O what a night, "when God as man descended unto us. To erase the stain of original sin. And to end the wrath of His Father."1 When we were dead in our trespasses and sin, children of wrath, without hope and God in this world, God was rich in mercy through his great love. (Ephesians 2:1-5, 12) God as a man became a propitiation, appeasement, of wrath. (1 John 2:2)
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
"The entire world thrills with hope. On this night that gives it a Saviour."1 This is a night of good news, of hope and great joy, "because today born to you, in the city of David, a savior who is Christ, the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11) "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth among those favored!." (Luke 2:14) O what a night, the weary soul rejoices. What a glorious morn, full of hope for those long awaiting such good news of a savior.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
"People on your knees, await your deliverance. Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer, Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!"1 "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last, he will stand upon the earth." (Job 19:25) Blessed be the Lord, for he has visited and brought redemption and salvation to his people. (Luke 1:68-70) The promise is being fulfilled, through God as a man, who has descended unto us and blessed us with adoption, favor, redemption, the forgiveness of sin. (Ephesians 1:3-7) O what a holy night, what a 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 the Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
"May the ardent light of our Faith Guide us all to the cradle of the infant, As in ancient times a brilliant star Guided the Oriental kings there. The King of Kings was born in a humble manger; O mighty ones of today, proud of your greatness,"1 A heavenly King became like his brethren, in all our trials he was born, so to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
"Bow your heads before the Redeemer!"1 He knows our need, having become like his brethren, like as a man, though he was tried and was without sin. Because to our weakness he is no stranger, a great High priest we have who sympathizes with our weakness. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
God is love, therefore those who know God, love, if God so loved us to become like us, to come to our aid, we ought to love one another in this way. (1 John 4:7-21) His love is made known to the brethren, teaching us to love as he loves, to forgive as he has forgiven, to show mercy as he has shown mercy.
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.
"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing..." God as man descended unto us, he came to proclaim good news to the poor, and to set the slaves free, to open the eyes of the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. (Luke 4:17-21) "Who will tell Him of our gratitude, For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies."1 Let us sing, for what this Holy Night means, "sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, let all within us praise His holy name."
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
"People, stand up! Sing of your deliverance, Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer, Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!"1
1. Original Christmas poem "Cantique de Noël" by Placide Cappeau, composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847. Today we sing this song translated to English by John Sullivan Dwight.