By Rev. Ann Morris, Parish Associate

“Sometimes in a weary world you have to sing yourself back into belief,” says Sydney to Freddie in James Runcie’s The Road to Grantchester. During the Christmas season the music and lyrics of “O Holy Night” are a sure tonic to strengthen a fragile faith. The history of the song is rife with controversy, legend, and popularity. It began in 1843 as a poem by Placide Cappeau written for a Christmas program at a church in a small French town. Soon Adolphe Adam, known for his secular operas, set it to music. Adam’s composition includes high notes that challenge even professional singers. American Magazine reported that when the song was introduced in Canada, congregations waited with trepidation for the climactic phrases of the song to see whether notes would be sung sharp or flat. In France the song gained popularity and was often sung at the midnight Christmas Eve mass. However, because Roman Catholic Church criticism of the song focused on its militant tone and dubious theology of the original French lyrics, it was rarely included in Catholic hymnals.

We Americans are familiar with John Sullivan Dwight’s 1855 translation into English. Dwight softened the lecturing and forceful tone of Cappeau’s French lyrics and added the third verse which includes “Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,” thus adding a specific social justice message to the season’s theme of peace. The musical composition still carries the rousing canter of Adam’s original tempo, something that was anathema to mid-19th century liturgical music.

Listen to “The Definitive Top Ten Renditions of ‘O Holy Night’” chosen by Joseph Peterson listed in his 2014 Huffington Post blog. All follow Dwight’s English lyrics, but each soloist follows her or his own heart to express “the thrill of hope” of the Christmas season. These ten are a sample of R&B, country, and close to operatic style. For its freshness with simplicity of voice and arrangement, my favorite is Sufjan Stevens. Who is yours?

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til 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
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
With all within let's praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord!
His name forever praise we
Noel, Noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O holy night