There are so many lovely carols sung at Christmas that it is difficult to choose just one favourite.
However, there is one that I find very moving and yet it is rarely sung in church - perhaps because it is rather difficult to sing!
“Cantique de Noël" or "O Holy night" was composed in 1847 by Adolphe Adam to "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) a French poem by Placide Cappeau. Fortunately for us John Sullivan Dwight translated it into English in 1855. Over the years many recordings have been made by many famous artists. Including Mariah Carey, Nat King Cole and Andrea Bocelli . It is regularly featured on the Christmas Eve broadcast from King’s College, Cambridge and – if you want to sing along before then – look on YouTube. The lyrics are full of hope for us all.
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world1 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, 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 no stranger.
Behold your King. Before Him lowly bend.
Behold your King, your King, before him 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, then ever, ever praise we.
His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim.
His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim.
