All You Want for Christmasنموونە

O Holy Night

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” - Luke 4:18

Think

“O Holy Night” is a beloved French Christmas carol reflecting on the birth of Jesus and His example in living a life of discipleship. It was translated into English by John Dwight Sullivan, a New England anti-slavery pastor. It gained popularity in the United States during the Civil War and continues to be one of the most popular Christmas carols.

The song says, “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.” These words resonate with the life and teaching of Jesus and the prophets like Isaiah, who said that the fast that God desires is to loose the chains of injustice…to set the oppressed free, to share bread with the hungry, and provide shelter for the homeless (Isaiah 58:6-7).

The song captures the concrete spiritual and social change Jesus brings–“a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.” In response, we fall on our knees to hear the message of the angels and to respond by following Jesus, who is the example of God’s intention for humanity.

Apply

The words of “O Holy Night” were written over 150 years ago in France when the country was in turmoil. We, too, in these times of turmoil and polarization, easily identify with the words of the song about a weary world yearning for the inbreaking of hope. The song and Scripture call us to bring hope as we live the Christmas message each day of the year, seeking to end oppression and racism, welcome the excluded and marginalized, break down barriers between people, and work and pray for peace and justice in the way of Jesus Christ. “O Holy Night” may be thought of as a Christmas song, but in reality, it constantly reminds us that God is calling us to be about co-creating a better community and world. The Christ event communicates that God is working His purposes out in human history, and God chooses you and me to join with Him at work in the world.

May we be challenged with the call of God to follow Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may we grow as a community of grace, joy, and peace so that God's love, healing, and hope flow out of us to our neighbors.

Pray

God, anoint us by your Spirit as we live in our community to make real your law of love and gospel of peace so that individuals and our community are transformed.

Author - Dick Thomas is a retired educator and Minister of Administration at Ridgeview Mennonite Church in Gordonville, PA.