The song, “O Holy Night” is special to me for three reasons. First, Nat King Cole’s version was my dad’s favorite holiday song. Secondly, the amazing history of the song itself, including it being the first Christmas song ever played on the “air waves.”  Thirdly, the first verse of the song is so impactful. (words below)

Enjoy reading the history of this song, and enjoy your holiday season!

The History of the Song, “O Holy Night.”

In 1847, Placide Cappeau, a wine merchant in France, was asked by his parish priest to write a poem for the Christmas Eve service. He wrote the words to, “Cantique de Noel” (“Song of Christmas”).

He then asked his friend, Adolphe, who was of the Jewish faith to write the music, and the song was performed for the congregation on Christmas Eve. The French people loved it. Sometime later, Placide left the church, and then it was discovered that the composer of music was not of the Christian faith, so Church leadership banned the song from its services throughout all of France. However, the French people continued to embrace it.

Ten years later, an American abolitionist, John Sullivan Dwight, heard the carol and loved its vibrant message of hope. His English translation quickly became popular in the North during the American Civil War.

Legend has it that the French Catholic Church finally allowed the song back into its services after an encounter in 1870 between French and German troops during the Franco-Prussian War. During a lull in fighting, a French soldier began singing it. The Germans were so moved that they responded by singing one of Martin Luther’s hymns. This little “songfest” encouraged the soldiers to honor a truce for 24 hours on Christmas.

Fast forward to early 1900’s, and the invention of radio. After some trial testing with voice over telegraph, Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian, via telegraph, alerted several ships of a special Christmas broadcast scheduled for 9pm on Christmas Eve. They had no idea it was not going to be dots and dashes coming over the telegraph.

When that 9pm broadcast happened, on Christmas Eve, 1906, the telegraph operators were stunned to hear a man’s voice! Everyone said this was impossible. Reginald was the first voice ever heard on the radio.

After giving a resume of the program, he played a recording of Handel’s, “Largo” on an Ediphone. That was the first recording ever played on the air. Then he played, “Oh Holy Night” on his violin, and sang the last verse as he played. It was the very first Christmas song ever heard on the radio!

His wife and secretary had promised to read the story of Jesus’ birth from the Bible, but they were speechless; mic fright. So, Reginald took over and read the story of the birth of Christ. He then concluded the broadcast by extending Christmas greetings to his listeners and asking them to write to him to let him know if they heard it. He didn’t know if it was going to work for sure. He received numerous responses.

The history of this song embodies what this season of Christmas is really all about – God’s love in sending His Son for all people. It was written by a wine merchant, set to music by a Jewish composer, banned by overzealous church leaders, but then kept alive by true believers. It was then adopted by an American abolitionist inspiring hope for those enslaved. It was sung by troops at war in the trenches and inspired at least 24 hours of peace. It was broadcast live by invisible radio waves – a new medium that would soon be instrumental in getting the message of the Good News all over the world.

One is perhaps reminded of the most popular verse in the Bible. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” “Whosoever!”

Whether someone is a wine merchant, of a different belief, a religious zealot, a slave, bond or free, male or female, that night in Bethlehem, God sent His Son, the prince of peace, to make available everlasting life to anyone and everyone who accepts Jesus Christ!  He is lord of all people, and God raised him from the dead!

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
‘Til He appears 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, O Holy night, O night divine!

[Verse 2]
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the Wise Men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend

[Verse 3]
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