I am unashamedly a big fan of hymns. Not only do they bring back sweet memories of singing next to my mom in church as a child, but as an adult, I appreciate the rich theology woven into these beautiful melodies.
In more recent years, I’ve also enjoyed reading the stories behind some of these great hymns of the faith. That can certainly add a level of depth and context and appreciation that makes our favorite hymns even more beloved.
On this Christmas Eve, our radio waves, our playlists and even our CDs are rich with the songs of the season. Sharing the top spot of favorite Christmas hymns are “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night.”
Of those two, “O Holy Night” is my favorite and I’m quite sure many of you would claim it as well. So when my pastor recently shared the hymn story behind this best-loved hymn, I was surprised that I had never heard it. Or that I hadn’t intentionally sought it out. But it’s an amazing story of how God works and I’d love to share its history with you today.
Way back in 1847, a French priest went to a local liquor store owner (apparently a good writer) and asked if he’d write a poem based on the story of Christ’s birth in Luke 2. Here’s the first amazing tidbit – the liquor store owner was not a believer.
But during a carriage ride from his home to Paris, he penned the famous words to this Christmas favorite. To quote my pastor from his sermon, it’s pretty amazing that “the man who didn’t believe the words he wrote, wrote the words he did.” Amen to that.
But the story continues – the author of the lyrics asked a buddy of his who was a musician if he would put the poem to music. He agreed and the result is the beautiful melody we know today. Amazing tidbit #2 – this musician was also not a believer.
So on Christmas Eve, 1847, “O Holy Night” was sung for the first time in public, and became instantly popular. The Catholic Church initially wanted to ban the song because it was written by unbelievers, but it’s popularity had soared and the ban was never enforced.
Fast forward to 1906, when a Canadian inventor named Reginald Fessenden perfected AM radio. On Christmas Eve, almost 60 years after its composition, “O Holy Night” was broadcast across the radio waves, as Reginald played it on his own violin, followed by the reading of Luke 2.
This beloved hymn, written by two unbelievers, became the very first song to be broadcast over the AM radio waves. How cool is that? Makes me love it even more.
Here’s what else jumps out at me about this story, and is a lesson we can take with us for our own lives: God sovereignly worked through the writing talents of that liquor store owner, and the musical talents of his friend to create a magnificent, long-lasting Christmas hymn, rich with the truths of Christ’s birth, straight from God’s Word.
Should we be surprised that God chose to bring this hymn into our world in this way?
Guess what (who) else God brought into the world in an unexpected way? Of course, it’s Jesus. He entered our broken world as a helpless baby, in the most demeaning circumstances of a smelly stable. But his mission was noble and eternal – paying the penalty for our sins.
It’s a reminder that God’s ways are higher than ours, and often beyond our comprehension. He can and does use the most unlikely people and methods to write His Story.
What about you? Or me? Do we question if God can really use us in unexpected ways? Especially if we don’t feel equipped? Don’t underestimate God’s incredible power in all things. Maybe he’s calling you to step into that circumstance in order to put that power on display.
Whenever we start to believe the lie that God surely can’t use us, remember the liquor store owner and his musician buddy and be grateful that God didn’t let their unbelief impede his creation of our beloved “O Holy Night.” Perhaps God spoke to those two gentlemen in the writing of this hymn, and they ultimately believed those words. That’s the ending I’d like to write!
Have a blessed Christmas!
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon[a] his shoulder,
and his name shall be called[b]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6