O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Savior’s brith. 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! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine; O night, O night divine!
It’s almost time! Tonight the world will stand still as a wee babe wails in the night. Though the world would not know what his birth would mean, the arrival of the Christ-child changes everything.
Often when this hymn is sung, the final verse is either altered or omitted entirely. This is unfortunate for many reasons, most important of which is that this carol draws our attention to the climax of the story. We are to proclaim Christ’s power and glory – but it is not the power and glory that the world would envision. Instead his law is love and his gospel is peace.
Just imagine a world in which that form of power and glory reigns. That is the vision into which we are invited tonight. Will you come and join the pilgrimage to Bethlehem? Will you return home praising God and telling of all you have heard and seen? Will you proclaim the true message of the child that is born?
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! Then ever, ever praise we, his power and glory ever more proclaim! His power and glory ever more proclaim!
Reverse Advent Calendar: It is time. Whatever you have been doing to serve others during this season of preparation, thank you for taking time out of this busy chaos to display love for those who we often forget. Many blessings to you this Christmastide and in the year to come!
Even Before 