In church yesterday, we all sang “O Holy
Night” and for the first time, my eyes were opened to the beauty of the lyrics.
Listen to Danny Gokey’s version below and follow along with the lyrics listed
below.
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 appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh 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
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
I’m sorry I don’t have more
for you. Quite honestly, it feels as though I’m standing in the middle of a
major intersection in a heavily populated shopping district during the holidays
– where things, voices, people, fears, uncertainty, and transition all seem to
zoom past me and all around me without quite colliding with me. Perhaps you all
can relate. Perhaps not. Regardless, the Lord remains the same. Gosh, praise His name right now that He doesn’t change. When everything around seems
unstable, He remains – and because He remains, we can stand firm. So, let us
lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us. Let us look to Jesus, the founder and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of
God. Hallelujah, thank you Father God for sending your Son on this day in whose
name all oppression will cease. Despite any circumstance in our lives, God you
are worthy. God you are so kind to us. Thank you, Lord. Turn my heart and turn
our hearts toward thanksgiving and praise.
//Jena Gray, senior majoring in Anthropology & Latin American Studies at the College of William & Mary.//
