December 8, 2024
More thoughts about “O Holy Night.”
Years after the writing of this song, an abolitionist named John Sullivan Dwight revised the third verse to support the cause of freedom for slaves. This made it popular during the American Civil War. Here is the verse:
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.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
“O Holy Night” has endured since then because of its truths that span culture and time.
Jesus did teach us to love, and the good news of His gospel is one of peace with God. As for slavery…it rears its ugly head in our world in the forms of human trafficking of every heart-rending type.
To keep Christmas music and message alive during 2025 and beyond, perhaps we could make a donation to one of the groups that fight human trafficking. Jesus would love that.
