Growing up my family regularly attended church. Christmas Eve services were my favorite, because of the festive character of the celebration. The story of the nativity enhanced by music of the carols made the holiday meaningful and joyful. In the early 1960s my father and I attended Memorial Church, on Bolton Hill in Baltimore, MD, where the choir was inspirational. Around 2010 I took my friend Jan to the Christmas Eve service at Memorial and was surprised when we experienced what felt like an English renaissance celebration with the same lessons and carols but also colorful banners and costumes. Perhaps I should mention that I am an unapologetic Episcopalian. The hymn “Oh Holy Night” never fails to move me. The lyrics are special but the music is divine.
O Holy Night: Christmas hymn captures message of love and peace
– Newspaper article by Rev. Candace McKibben – Guest columnist of the Tallahassee Democrat Dec 23, 2023
Excerpt: The hymn that has captured my heart during the holy season approaching Christmas this year, is a French hymn, “O Holy Night.” I have been reflecting on the stanza from the English translation that seems poignantly relevant during Christmas 2023, when we all long for peace in our troubled world. It says: “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!”
O Holy Night – An Unusual History by John Certalic, award-winning author and relationship coach
I have found many wonderful performances of “Oh Holy Night” this one reminds me of my earlier experiences.
Celtic Woman – O Holy Night