“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:11, 14

O Holy Night

There are many beautiful versions of the classic Christmas carol Oh Holy Night, my current favorite being Jungkook’s (of the k-pop band BTS).

Here’s a condensed yet fascinating origin story:

The song was was penned as Cantique de Noel in the 1840’s on a bumpy coach ride to Paris by a poet/wine merchant who had been asked to write it by the local parish priest. He referenced Luke 2 and wrote it based on imagining himself present at the birth of Christ. The music was added later by a renowned composer. Some years later it was denounced by the church when the poet walked away from the church and it was found the composer was Jewish. However, it was still much loved by the French people and was later translated into English and brought to America as the proclamation of Christ’s birth.

The third verse became very popular with Abolitionists during the Civil War: “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.”

My favorite piece of the backstory is the legend that on a Christmas Eve during the Franco-Prussian War, an unarmed French soldier suddenly stood up and sang Cantique de Noel to the astonishment of both sides. Afterwards a German soldier stood and sang part of a German Christmas song leading to a cease-fire for 24 hours. This was perhaps part of the reason the church again embraced the beloved song.

Finally, in the early 1900’s a chemist who had worked with Thomas Edison read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and played O Holy Night on his violin. It was the first time a human voice had been heard over the airwaves and the first time music was played over the airwaves.

“Father God, help us pause during this busy season to imagine ourselves present at and witnessing Christ’s birth. Please fill us with the hope and joy it brought and still brings. Help us share Jesus’ love and peace to a world full of strife. Fill us with Your power, in the midst of a battle, to declare a cease fire. Finally, give us words to say and songs to sing, broadcasting the Savior of the world over the airwaves within our reach. Amen.”