Footnote Maven has a tradition of blog caroling in which I am happy to participate. Music certainly warms the soul and brings light and life to dreary hearts at holiday time.
We celebrate a Christ-centered Christmas along with our American traditions. My favorite Christmas song is
O Holy Night. A couple years ago, I decided to do something different at our Christmas Eve get-together. I asked each family member to write a paragraph or two about their favorite Christmas Carol and say why it was a favorite of theirs. I told them I wanted it for our
family records, and everyone participated. It was enlightening and also helped us progress toward having more
family history. I was very surprised to see that many of our children and their spouses picked
O Holy Night as a favorite. I also asked the question on Facebook this year, "What is your favorite Christmas song?". Most of the first responses were
O Holy Night.
Here are the lyrics and a video by Josh Groban.
I especially love the lyrics that come after saying His law is love
and His gospel is peace:
Chains he shall break,
for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
O Holy Night
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 appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall 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!
