‘Tis the season for traditions. Every family celebrates the season in their own way, and singing Christmas carols has always been part of Christmas at our house. Beloved carols and songs fill the air as we decorate the tree, bake cookies and wrap gifts. One of my favorite carols is “O Holy Night.” The music was composed in 1847 by Adolphe Adam for Placide Cappeau’s poem “Minuit, chrétiens.” In 1855, John Sullivan Dwight adapted the the poem and created the lyrics we sing today.
“O Holy Night”
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our 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 world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on you knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night, when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
(read the rest of the lyrics, as well as the original French poem, here)
Wishing you all a holiday filled with love and joy!
Be sure to visit Buffy Silverman at Buffy’s Blog for the Poetry Friday Round Up.
Reading to the Core 
Beautiful recording–thanks for sharing it!
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[…] Reading to the Core, Catherine shares the lyrics of “O Holy Night,” which began life as a poem, and a YouTube […]
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One of my favorite Christmas carols! Thanks for sharing!
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Definitely one of my favourites too. Thanks for sharing the lyrics and this lovely video.
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A family favorite of our’s, too! Happy holiday wishes Catherine!
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So beautiful, Catherine. It brings back memories of choir. We sang it in French, so those lyrics, at least some, were right in that far part of my brain. I didn’t know it was first a poem. Thanks for sharing the background too! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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Love the harp in the video. Merry Christmas!
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I came to visit your blog before and ended up getting side-tracked by listening to different renditions of O Holy Night on YouTube. I like hearing about the “birth” of carols. It’s interesting that Linda sang it in French. I sang “O Come All Ye Faithful” in Latin, and always think of it (at least some of it) that way.
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