This should have originally posted on Sunday, December 20.
The song, O Holy Night, has at its birth one of the unique stories of Christmas. Originally a French hymn it was written to celebrate the renovation of an organ. The poem was written by a man who claimed to be an atheist, Placide Cappeau, a known poet in his hometown.
Later, while translating into English, the Unitarian minister; John S Dwight, decided to take some translating freedom and brought to the forefront a recurring theme of 1855.
The first set of lyrics is the literal English translation. The second set is John Dwights lively and convicting translation.
The Redeemer has broken every bond
The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.
He sees a brother where there was only a slave,
Love unites those whom iron had chained.
Who will tell Him of our gratitude,
For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies.
People, stand up! Sing of your deliverance,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!
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 pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
An avowed unbeliever in God and a lover of music who knew Gods love for all of mankind, came together to pen these words;
His love is love and his gospel is peace
Enjoy this wonderful hymn and check out more amazing facts about this well enveloped carol at Hymnary.org.