“O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘Til He appear’d 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 divine, O night, O night Divine.”
I am sure you recognized immediately the wonderful carol, “O Holy Night,” written in 1847 by French composer, Adolphe Adam. The original lyrics were written by a French Poet, the English by John Sullivan Dwight, a minister.
I get chills every I hear this song, every time. Doesn’t seem to matter who is singing it. I just love this song. Perhaps it is that one line that makes my soul soar—the one that reminds me, “’Til He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.”
I’ve often told the story, and even included it in many a devotion, about buying a Walter Payton rookie football card for my son’s 18th birthday. But I will tell it again. I wanted to get him something special and Payton was his favorite Chicago Bear. When I asked the store’s owner if he had one, he told me he did. I asked him what it was worth, and he said words that have remained with me. He said, “It’s worth what you are willing to pay for it.”
“’Til He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.” What are you worth?
You are worth what God was willing to pay for you. You are worth the precious life of His Only Son. That should give all of us “a thrill of hope!”
