Piano Demo
0:00
Hymnal Number
778Resource Type:
Keys included:
C
About this Hymn
There is something powerful and majestic about this French carol, a favorite among many, in the way it declares "Fall on your knees!" "Behold your King!" and "Christ is the Lord!" Its visual language is a play of light, with shining stars, a breaking morn, beaming faith, and glowing hearts, and its antislavery stance still applies to us now, as we sing of God's freeing people of physical and spiritual bondage.
Lyrics
Verse 1
O holy night! the stars are brightly shining; it is the night of our dear Savior'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! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Verse 2
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 came the wise men from 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 is no stranger. Behold your King, before him lowly bend! Behold your King, before him lowly bend!
Verse 3
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! Oh, praise his name forever! His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim! His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
O holy night! the stars are brightly shining; it is the night of our dear Savior'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! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Verse 2
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 came the wise men from 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 is no stranger. Behold your King, before him lowly bend! Behold your King, before him lowly bend!
Verse 3
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! Oh, praise his name forever! His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim! His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Placide Cappeau, 1843; tr. John S. Dwight, 1871
Music: Adolphe Adam, 1847
Music: Adolphe Adam, 1847