O Holy Night

About the Carol

"O Holy Night" originally refereed to the music composed by Adolphe Adam (1803-1856) in 1847, to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians). "Minuit, chrétiens" was originally written by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877).

Lyrics ^{Back to Top ↑}

Analysis of Carol ^{Back to Top ↑}

This is at most half true. Even when Jesus was born, there were people who were still righteous and blameless before the law. John the Baptist's parents were some of them. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.^{Luke 1:6} However, most people in the world were incapable of following the law. Thus, it is true to say the world was in sin and error.

A reference to the wise men who followed the Star of Bethlehem. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.^{Matthew 2:9, 10}

We do not know if the wise men came from the East, all we know is that they originated far east of Jerusalem. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.^{Matthew 2:1}

But only if we do what he commands and have heard all that he has said from the Father. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.^{John 15:14, 15}

Since Jesus is Lord, Jesus knows what we need. That is why he instructs us, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.^{Matthew 6:31, 32}

It is true that Jesus's law is love, as his two greatest commandments, the two commandments that all the other commandments hang on, are about love. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.^{Matthew 22:37-40} But the gospel Jesus preached is not peace, despite what the angels said in Luke 2:14. Jesus said, Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.^{Matthew 10:34}

The slave here is sin. Note that in the following verse, the Greek for "servant" is doulos, or 'slave.' Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.^{John 8:34}

Eventually, this will be true. But currently, it is sadly not. James writes, Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.^{James 5:10}