The Plumb Line: O Holy Night

At the time of the Lord's birth, the Jewish world was looking for Him. Little girls dreamed of being the chosen one who would be God's appointed mother of the Messiah. The prophets, the seers and all were looking for something big to happen – the earth and the heavens were all pointing to a major event.

And then it happened . . . "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). He appeared clothed in flesh, and was found by angels and shepherds wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Was this a holy night? Was it a night divine? Of a certainty, there could be no other word to describe this night filled with the rejoicing in heaven and on earth at the news of the birth of the Saviour!

O Holy Night

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till He appeared and the soul felt His worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder beams a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

O night divine! O night when Christ was born!

O night divine! O night, O night divine!

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 came the wise men from the Orient land

The King of kings lay in lowly manger

In all our trials born to be our friend

He knows our need

To our weakness no stranger

Behold your King! before the lowly bend!

Behold your King! before Him bend!

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 rise we

Let all within us praise His holy name

Christ is the Lord

Then ever, ever praise we

His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim

Look at the second verse of this age-old carol originally written as a poem by Placide Clappeau in 1847 and translated from French to English by John S. Dwight . . . "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." Here the poet confronts us with the greatest irony of all . . . the King of Kings was born as an infant in a lowly manger in a stable with animals; He lived a life of poverty, faced scorn, and was crucified with thieves. Nevertheless, we bow before Him because He is the King of Kings.

This old Christmas song, like so many other traditional carols, seems to share the entire Gospel in a few short verses. The author very powerfully summed up the purpose of such a holy night in the third verse saying, "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." God taught us to love one another and to love even those who are unlovable, from those held in man's highest esteem to those in the lowliest positions. Even though we no longer have slavery in this country, we still have prejudice and persecution. We should demonstrate God's love to all of those around us. Like Jesus Christ, we must model love, humility, and a servant's heart.

Are we a model of Christ's love, humility and servant's heart? This is a question we should ask ourselves every day!

Love: Does His love flow through me to everyone with Him I come in contact each and every day?

Humility: Am I content with whatever circumstances I find myself in?

Servant's Heart: Do I live to give rather than live to receive?

May we all fall on our knees, behold our King, and praise His holy name forever while daily seeking to behold Him as we grow to become a model of Christ's love, humility, and servant's heart! What better way to share the Good News of today's verse . . . "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Father, I come before You, Lord, in adoration and worship, with praise in my heart for allowing me to comprehend just a little more fully the mission of that holy night—to set an example for my life in love, humility, and a servant's heart. Father, I long to have these words pierce my heart daily, challenging me to be all You have created me to be. Father, my heart, mind, and soul glorify You as I fall on my knees beholding my King! Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your Son, my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ! Amen and Amen!