The hymn ‘O Holy Night’ has an interesting backstory. The musical score was written in 1847 by a Jewish composer, Adolphe Adam, adapted from a french poem named Minuit, Chretiens, translated as “Midnight Christmas”. The poem was written by an atheist wine merchant from southern France, Placide Cappeau, in the same year (details here).

Taken primarily from the gospel of Luke on the birth of Christ, the song was controversial due to its undertone of abolitionist thought. In 1855, the words of the hymn were translated into English by John Dwight, who was the director of a commune in Massachusetts (details here). As a Unitarian, he did not see Jesus as an equal to God, the Father.

Rumor has it that during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, there was a temporary cease fire when a French soldier stood up from the trenches and began singing, followed by a similar response from the opposing side, resulting in a temporary truce on Christmas Eve.

Better documented was an incident of its use reported in the Marine Corps Times in December of 2004. When in Fallugah, Iraq, a Catholic priest and a Marine Major sang “O Holy Night” at the bedside of a wounded and dying Marine soldier (details here).

From its origins, the hymn “O Holy Night” has been controversai due, in part, to the line, “Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother”, which was a reference to its abolitionist undertones. Of course, looking back in history from today’s perspective, one can certainly agree with the need for increased human rights at the time (details here).

The poem from an atheist, the musical score from a Jew, and its popularization in English from a Unitarian… this Hymn forms a beautiful picture of a Biblical Christian worldview.

The Lyrics of O Holy Night

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Til He appear’d 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 divine, O 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.