Once Upon a Holy Night
The lyrics were written by a wine merchant and occasional poet; the music written by the composer well known at the time for the ballet, Giselle. It was first performed by an opera singer to highlight the newly renovated organ in a church in Rocquemaure, France. It was Christmas Eve 1847, and the song became an immediate Christmas favorite.
Only a few years later, it was banned by the Catholic Church because the author was reported to be an atheist and the composer rumored to be a Jew. But even as the church denounced it, the French people continued to embrace it. A decade later it was translated and brought to the States by a reclusive author, abolitionist and Unitarian Minister who thought the third verse was particularly pertinent for a nation embroiled in civil war.
Finally on December 21, 1906, it was broadcast live on the radio when a Canadian inventor transmitted voice and song for the first time ever by reading the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke and playing this song on his violin.
What is this storied Christmas song? "O Holy Night." And in this season of Advent and Christmas, each week in worship we'll be looking at how
these words
lead us toward the meaning of the birth of Christ.
Come be a part of these special Sunday worship services and invite a friend to join you. My prayer for us all is that during this season, we will be drawn to the one who made that holy night truly divine.
See you Sunday as we begin to prepare our hearts and lives for our dear Savior's birth.
