Articles
O Holy Nights?
Like most old hymns, the 1847 French poem that was turned into what we know as “O Holy Night!” is rich in doctrine. The title speaks of one, but the three verses would indicate four nights and proclaim the gospel from Jesus’ incarnation through His resurrection.
I. Luke 2:8-15. The first stanza tells the story of “the dear Saviour’s birth” on the first holy night. The gospel is announced as “good news of great joy” for “all the people” although only Jewish shepherds go to see what God had done in Word becoming flesh.
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;
Romans 8 describes the world in sin and groaning for the sons of God to be revealed (v19-22), we who are baptized into Christ groaning inwardly awaiting our adoption and redemption (v23-25), and the Spirit interceding for us with groans too deep to understand (v26-28). So, we sing …
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine.
II. Matthew 2:1-11. A second holy night occurs about two years later but is often confused with the events surrounding the incarnation. Here’s where the wise men following the star appear. In this account, Jesus is found in a house, not a manger, to these gentiles’ “great joy,” showing that indeed the gospel is open to all.
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 thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our friend;
Because He’s “King of Kings,” having died for us, we must obey the gospel and live for Him (1 Timothy 6:13-16). He’s our high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses and help us in our need (Hebrews 4:14-16), letting us sing:
He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger! Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King! your King! before him bend!
III. Matthew 27:45-50. The third holy “night” was between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. when Christ was crucified for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21), and the fourth was when He was resurrected “toward dawn” so we also might walk in new life through Him (Matthew 28:1-6; Romans 6:3-8).
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 praise his Holy name!
Jesus taught us that everyone who sins is a slave to sin, and only He can set us free (John 8:31-36). Though He Himself knew no sin, He became guilty for all of our sins at the cross. Our response should be praise (Hebrews 13:15-16) and song:
Christ is the Lord, then ever! ever praise we! His pow’r and glory, evermore proclaim! His pow’r and glory, evermore proclaim!
Have you obeyed and are living faithfully the “good news of great joy” gained on these holy nights?
