Advent 2024: Sat 21 Dec
O, holy night
The religious contemporaries of Adolphe Adam, who set Minuit Chrétiens to music, were concerned that this carol was becoming too popular and even being sung in bars and on the streets. In the view of the religious establishment, this had “debased and degenerated” the song. A false rumour circulated that Adam was Jewish.
I would be more than pleased if singing broke out on the streets of Ipswich! Jesus was not born in a cathedral, and he wasn’t dressed in fine priestly robes.
The writer, too, fell foul of the critics as he was considered a socialist. The hymn did not find its way into many hymn books in France.
The words take us from expectation through to the birth and on to a reflection on the person of Jesus. They’re not bad! The translation does soften the original French, though, and sentiments such as:
Puissants du jour fiers de votre grandeur,
A votre orgueil c'est de là qu'un Dieu prêche
Powerful people of the day, proud of your greatness,
To your pride it is from there that a God preaches,
reflecting Mary’s song, have been morphed into:
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness no stranger.
The music lifts it up a notch to give us a lovely Christmas hymn.
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 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 came the wise men from the 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 no stranger.
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, 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! Then ever, ever praise we!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
Paul