Holy Night - Melissa Summers

There is so much history behind the song “O Holy Night”. 

It is the gospel in a poem. If you look at the original version you can see that it is a call to action.  The song was praised and banned throughout history from its birth. 

To understand the meaning of the song it is necessary to look into the lives of the men who shaped it into what it is today. They wrote it, translated it, and gave it music. 

While the song is a picture of a historical, biblical event, it is also a picture of the thoughts and convictions of these contributors and where the gospel met them in their lives. 

Placide Cappeau wrote the original poem in French. Since Cappeau was an atheist, it has been considered an ironic miracle that he wrote such a poem at all. What isn’t clear is whether he was an atheist when he wrote the poem or if he became an atheist after writing the poem. What is clear is that when he wrote the poem he had negative views of the mainstream church and he held different political views than the mainstream church at the time  (Jensen, 2017).  I think no matter what he believed religiously or politically, he connected with the words in the Bible about the savior of the world. It’s possible that he saw a discrepancy between the actions of the church and the message of the savior. 

Adolphe Charles Adams was a famous composer living through the same transitions and unrest in France as Cappeau. He composed many operas and funded the opening of a new opera theater, to showcase the work of new writers, composers, and other artists. This opera house shut down due to the fighting during the revolution. His most famous opera, Giselle, (which is still performed today) was performed in 1841, about six years before he composed the music for Cappeau. Some say that part of the reason the song fell out of favor with church leaders is because Adams was Jewish and the mainstream church of France was anti-semitic, others say that his Jewish heritage was a rumor started by the church in order for them to have more reason to ban the song (Jensen, 2017). It seems that in his work, Adams cared more about the music than the overall message (Feeney). However, choosing to attach his name and reputation to a particular poem with an obvious message, could be taken as an endorsement of the message itself. Whether it was for the message, the poet, or the thrill of writing music, Adams took his heritage as a composer and gave music to the gospel. 

The church banned it, but the people still sang it. Why? They probably shared some sentiments with Cappeau. France has a history in which it always seems to be in revolution mode. The song was written before another revolution broke out. The economy wasn't doing well and people were trying to find a peace between and separation of the church and the state (Historyworld). Although the church had gone through a time of persecution in France it was trying to make a comeback of power and influence (Ageofthesage). The monarchy didn't want to lose power and influence either. In short, no one wanted to lose power, money, and influence to help the poor and oppressed. 

When Cappeau wrote the lines "O mighty ones of today, proud of your greatness”,“It is to your pride that God preaches." He was probably pinpointing the church and the government. He showed a picture of the wealthiest, most powerful King, giving up what was his to bring freedom and life to others; something that the monarchy and church would not do. He puts them on the spot for not following the model of someone they profess to follow. 

When he writes of Jesus seeing brothers instead of slaves he elevates people to the same status Jesus gives in John 15:15; the status of friends. Not only does he write of spiritual freedom through salvation but he promotes physical and political freedom from slavery and oppression. In the last chorus note, he no longer says kneel, but stand. Stand in this new foundation. Stand in salvation. Stand in freedom. Claim these gifts of God now. 

The last update to the song came from John Sullivan Dwight, an American minister. He changed the words to reflect his views as a Transcendentalist and Unitarian (Robinson). He exchanged the lines of “original sin” and “wrath of the father” to focus on the savior, Jesus and the sin that he came to save mankind from. As an abolitionist he changed the lines of slavery to reflect a future of breaking chains rather than chains already broken, lamenting the slavery that was still current in his lifetime. Dwight presents the gospel through a different theological and political lens. 

People look at the men who wrote this song and think “what a miracle that they wrote it”. When I learn about who they were, I think, “no wonder they wrote it”. These men have more in common with Jesus than people give them credit for, namely in how to treat their fellow human beings. These men had ethics, morals, beliefs, and political views of their own that were influenced by the times they lived in, but they found some of these beliefs reflected in the work of God in the Bible. Despite their differences, they found common ground in Christ. You might be more like Jesus than you think you are, whatever your political or religious beliefs. If you could sit and talk with him, you may be surprised to see how much He makes sense of the world and what you encounter in it. You may be surprised to find that you and God have similar values. Study His word and let Him draw you in. Get to know Him through His word and He may use you to speak His word. 

Midnight Christians by Placide Cappeau

Midnight, Christians, it's the solemn hour,

When God-man descended to us

To erase the stain of original sin

And to end the wrath of His Father.

The entire world thrills with hope

On this night that gives it a Savior.

People kneel down, wait for your deliverance.

Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,

Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!

The Redeemer has overcome every obstacle:

The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.

He sees a brother where there was only a slave,

Love unites those that iron had chained.

Who will tell Him of our gratitude,

It's for all of us that He is born,

That He suffers and dies. 

People stand up! Sing of your deliverance,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!

O Holy Night by John Sullivan Dwight

• Oh, 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,Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices!Oh, night divine, oh, night when Christ was born!Oh, night divine, oh, night, oh, 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 came 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; before Him lowly 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! Oh, praise His name forever!His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

Citations

BBC Music Magazine. (2022, June 6). Adam, Adolphe. Classical Music. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.classical-music.com/composers/adolphe-adam/

Chevalier-Karfis, Camille. "Minuit Chrétien French Christmas Carol For O Holy Night." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/french-christmas-carol-o-holy-night-1368186.

Feeney, A. (n.d.). Adolphe Adam Biography, Songs, & Albums. AllMusic. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.allmusic.com/artist/adolphe-adam-mn0000394866/biography?1659914432676

The French Revolution of 1848European history summary france. The French revolution of 1848 : European history summary France. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.age-of-the-sage.org/history/1848/french_revolution_1848.html

historyworld. (n.d.). HISTORY OF FRANCE. History of France. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from http://historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistoriesResponsive.asp?ParagraphID=mmt

Ivry, B. I., 08, 06, & Silva. (2020, November 19). A brief history of 'O holy night,' the rousing christmas hymn that garnered mixed reviews. America Magazine. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2020/11/19/brief-history-o-holy-night-christmas-hymn-review

Jensen, P. M. (2017, December 22). The surprising history of 'O holy night'. Washington Examiner. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/weekly-standard/the-surprising-history-of-o-holy-night-2010961

London, A., & (Optional), N. (2021, December 17). "O holy night" (Christmas song). Song Meanings and Facts. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/o-holy-night-christmas-song/

Robinson, D. (n.d.). John Sullivan Dwight. Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://uudb.org/authors/johnsullivandwight.html