Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Now is the Time



Time to set our to-do lists aside to worship. Oh, but this one brings the tears! So many do, but the words and melody are so beautiful here. Time spent worshiping changes our perspective on everything. For me, it's like I'm right there in heaven with Him, for the moments of songs, anyway. A valuable experience and discipline, no matter how busy our days are. 

I've reprinted the lyrics because this rendition doesn't include all of them. A song so rich in meaning!

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 Spirit 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, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, 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 he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we 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!



Here's the background for this carol, found here:

The words and lyrics of the old carol 'O Holy Night' were written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. Cappeau was a wine seller by trade but was asked by the parish priest to write a poem for Christmas. He obliged and wrote the beautiful words of the hymn. He then realised that it should have music to accompany the words and he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams(1803-1856).

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I love this song it is especially wonderful when we sing it at church.

Christine said...

Oh yes, Tesha, I agree. There's so much power in corporate worship. Oh Little Town of Bethlehem this last Sunday had me in tears.