O Holy Night

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,
'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 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, behold your king.

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.

The last two lines are often replaced with:
Noel, noel. O night, o night divine.
Noel, noel. O night, o night divine.
Noel, noel. O night, o night divine.

The second verse is often omitted.

Image Credit: ijones_bucket.

Cantique de Noel is the original name of O Holy Night, a Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847.

The lyrics are a translation of the 1847 French poem, "Minuit, Chretiens" by Placide Cappeau, translated into English in 1855 by John Sullivan Dwight.

Reginald Fessenden played the song on violin and broadcast it on his live Christmas radio show on December 24, 1906. Since then it has become a popular Christmas carol, loved by many people worldwide.

Image Credit: brenonion on Photobucket.