O Holy Night

Christmas Carol Lyrics

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 appear'd 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
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
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 come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend.

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.

 
Words by Chappeau de Roquemaure
Translated by John S. Dwight

About This Uplifting Christmas Carol

O Holy Night is a breathtaking Christmas carol that began its life in 1847 in a small French town. The lyrics were written by Placide Cappeau, a wine merchant and poet, who was asked to create a poem for the local church’s Christmas celebration. Inspired by the Nativity story, he produced a text filled with wonder, hope, and a sense of sacred awe. Composer Adolphe Adam then set the poem to music, creating the sweeping melody that has touched hearts for generations.

The carol was originally titled Minuit, chrétiens or Midnight, Christians. Its message focused on the arrival of Christ as a turning point for a weary world. The song speaks of a night full of beauty and stillness, when a new sense of dignity and compassion entered human history. That emotional depth helped the carol spread through France and eventually beyond.

In the 1850s, American Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight translated the carol into English. He was drawn especially to the lines that speak of breaking chains and valuing every human life. His translation helped the carol find a lasting place in American churches and concert halls. The song’s connection to themes of justice and hope gave it special resonance during turbulent periods of history.

With its dramatic melody and powerful crescendos, O Holy Night is often chosen for solo performances, candlelit services, and Christmas Eve gatherings. Few carols rise and fall with such emotional force. Each year it reminds listeners of the quiet miracle of the Nativity and the promise of peace that still speaks to the world.