“O Holy Night” (1843)

Words and music by Adolphe Charles Adam, John Sullivan Dwight, Placide Cappeau. ©Public Domain. CCCLI Song Number: 32015

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
‘Til 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; O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O holy night, O 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 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

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; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim

“We carry an almost unspeakable sorrow, a longing for something truly good…but now lost. We were made for so much more, but our experience is meager, desolate, cold, barren…our souls ache.”

This quote accurately captures the sadness of the human heart – even for many who belong to the Savior. As we ponder the first verse of this favorite old Christmas hymn, it is hard to move beyond the words, “Long lay the world in sin and error pining.”

“Pining” is an interesting word. It means a longing or yearning for someone or something and especially aligns with a sense of suffering or grief or regret. How deep our regret for sin; how long we have been hoping for remedy or escape. The hymn writer wanted his audiences to sense that ache—but only as a starting place.

Ponder for a moment all your regrets, your griefs, the injustices in our culture and around the world. All the wrong, both individually and collectively. Isn’t the weight, even if just in our minds, staggering? And deeply personal!

As Paul remarks about the nearly constant battle with his flesh,

“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24, ESV)

Then comes the hymn’s rejoinder: “‘Til He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.”

Ohhh. Could it be? Is there a way, a means, a remedy, a cure for this malady of human brokenness? The sadness, so pervasive, so all consuming—it’s unnecessary! For there is a rescue…a rescuer! Jesus has come! 

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11, ESV)

The sheep know the voice of their Good Shepherd. He calls them all by name. The intimacy and deeply personal nature of our name drive us deeper into the longing. Our longing for acceptance, welcome, appreciation, and embrace is a burning coal in our hearts. And for too long, it has flared without relief. We are not worthy!! And we know it all too well.

But when “He appeared” that coal transformed to the diamond of radiance, eternal in destiny, that we were always intended to become. Our soul now knows…KNOWS…that WE are loved! It seems too much to bear, too good to be true. But oh, yes, we ARE!!

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.” (1 John 3:1, NASB)

No wonder the hope that enters the weary, sad, pining soul, though begun as a small and incongruous “thrill,” now breaks forth in vocal and exuberant rejoicing! …Comes the dawn. New! Glorious!! “Oh, God!” our hearts cry out, with tears and smiles, hands reaching for heaven even as we fall to our knees in overwhelming adoration. “Oh, God!”

Oh, the night He was born was holy, indeed. Worthy of universal and eternal pondering, this ultimate gift of God, who so fully and miraculously loves the once “pining” and desperate soul.

The writer continues to reflect the assurance and intent of the Lord’s incarnation: “In all our trials born to be our friend” (verse 2). Surely “He knows our need.” And meets it—thoroughly, sweetly, eternally!

“Chains shall He break” (verse 3). The cell doors of our long-lost and desperate hearts have been flung open wide. A welcoming throng of others similarly freed await with open arms, wide smiles, and tears of joy. Walk now, freed…and grateful. And show to others what you yourself have received bounteously. Forgiveness. “Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace.”

Drink deeply of Him, Jesus invites in John 7:37-38, and out of you will flow (not self-generated or self-willed) RIVERS of living water, that others may also be refreshed at the eternal fountain. This is why Jesus came that holy night. This is why He commands His redeemed friends and brothers,

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35, ESV)

“Let all within us praise His holy name… His power and glory evermore proclaim.”

Joyeux Noël!

Copyright © 2025 Len Crowley. All rights reserved.