O Holy Night - Dec. 11, 2019 The carol has quite a past. Lyrics originally in French, a poem written by wine merchant Placide Cappeau who was asked by a priest to write a poem for Mass. He wrote “Midnight, Christians,” loved what he wrote; asked a friend to write music for the poem. Alophe Charles Adams, a Jewish composer of ballets and operas, set the poem to music as “Cantique de Noel.” Performed 3 weeks later (1847) to much acclaim.

Soon after, Cappeau (an athiest) became part of the Socialist movement and the Catholic Church also discovered Adams was jewish. The Church denounced the song, although the French people continued singing it.

John Sullivan Dwight graduated from Harvard and divinity school. He tried to be a Unitarian minister, but had panic attacks before facing his congregation. Left the ministry and became Editor of Dwight’s Journal of Music. He translated the song into English, and introduced it to America in 1855. He also saw something else in “Cantique de Noel” - the French poem. He was an abolitionist, believing Christ came to free all men. The song became very popular during the Civil War, especially in the North.

Christmas Eve 1906 - Reginald Fessenden, a young professor and former chemist to Thomas Edison did something long thought impossible. Using a new type of generator, he spoke into a mic and, for the first time, man’s voice was broadcast over the Airwaves. He read from Luke - “And it came to pass . . .” Then, he picked up his violin and played , the first song ever sent thru the air via radio waves. It’s been recorded by Nat King Cole, Patti LaBelle, Mariah Carey, Josh Groban...

Quite a history! Song was written by a Jewish composer based on a poem written by a French atheist, more usually seen with wine than in church, because a parish priest requested it for mass. It found new life in America as a way to highlight the sinful nature of slavery as much as to tell the birth of the Savior. And, in Franco-Prussion war, used as a 24-hour truce in battle between French-German soldiers on Christmas Eve in 1870. The song’s history reminds us: God can use ANYONE to serve His purpose: P God used a pagan Roman Emperor - Caesar Augustus to issue a decree for a census to get Mary & Joseph to . P Mary & Joseph were ordinary people. Not rich, well educated... P The first ones call to see the Baby were Shepherds . . . not scholars, not priests, not world leaders . . . P An angel appeared to Shepherds to announce “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” READ Luke 2:8-20

News of Great Joy was told to the outcast, lonely, hurting, the weary... 1st verse -- “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” - Meeting Jesus, experiencing Him is the start of a new day. - God offers us a new life, one transformed by peace, joy, and love.

A multitude of the Heavenly Host, a great company of Angels, announce a message of great joy, and of peace to those who receive the message. Heaven held a party on earth. Have you joined the party? Or are you missing it because you’re weary... Doing too much in too little time? Has the Joy of Christmas has gotten replaced by stress, weariness? Been trying to earn God’s love? Work your way to Heaven?

1st verse - “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” - All humanity lived in sin, unable to live perfect lives. Yes, we erred. And were pining - means mental & physical decline. Wasting away. Wasting time following rules to be perfect instead of walking in love. P These were weary souls who felt unloved, unappreciated, unworthy. ! Jesus came to give us worth; we were worth His trip from Heaven

Luke 2:14 - “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the Water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” # May our parched souls find worth, hope, and joy this Christmas.