So today I'm putting aside my own hang-ups with God and religion to really reflect on the birth of Jesus. I'm sort of like Blaine Warbler (for all my Glee fans) in that I express myself best through song. So why not take a deeper look into my all-time favorite Christmas song?!
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shinning. The weary world rejoices For wonder breaks a new a glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angel voices. Oh night divine. Oh night, when Christ was born.Oh night divine!
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, with all our hearts we praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we, His power and glory ever more proclaim! His power and glory...ever more proclaim!
What I love about this song is the reverence it holds for Jesus and the majesty of this moment. My favorite part is the energy/build-up as they sing "Fall on your knees". This is something to be in awe of...something so glorious that our only response is to fall on our knees. This is such a moving image of the world responding to it's savior. We were lost in the muck and sin, and weary were we. Then...when we had lost hope, He appears and we experience the thrill of hope restored! The only response to the beauty and overwhelming love before us is to fall to our knees. What a divine night indeed.
I love that the song also talks about the life of Jesus. It talks about His teachings, what He came to do, and what the outcome of His life was to be. Christ is the Lord over all the struggles that we go through. He is with each of us and cares deeply for us. His name is powerful enough to heal and remove oppression. Not only did He come to earth to be with us but he came to heal us. And it all began in his birth. His law is love and He came to teach us peace.
Overall, this song speaks to me in a very personal and profound way. It reminds me that Christmas is not about the lights, the tree, or the treats (even though I LOVE all of those things) but instead about God leaving all the comforts of heaven to struggle and live life among us. He chose to arrive as a powerless and poor infant. I have many doubts and painful reasons why I have kept God at a distance for several years now...but this always reminds me why I have not given up on faith completely. THIS selfless and compassionate act will always profoundly speak to why I love and trust in Jesus. And this song reminds us that this wasn't just ANY other night nor was it any other birth. This was the birth of Jesus. O Holy Night. Fall on your knees...allow your soul to truly feel it's worth. Allow your heart to feel the deep love He has for you. Allow your spirit to feel the beauty and presence of God as we celebrate this joyous occasion.
Below are some of my favorite versions of this song, sung by some of the most talented and beautiful voices I have ever heard. Their talent and vocal strength show the song the respect it commands. While Lea Michele will always hold a special place in my heart, Luke Edgemon moves me to tears each time. Enjoy....
Josh Groban
Luke Edgemon
Lea Michele on Glee.
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