Midnight

One of our family traditions during Christmas and for me, the most meaningful and significant tradition, is attending the midnight service on the eve of Christmas.  

Regardless of where we are… Colorado, St Barths or Texas… we  always attend the last service offered.  I have very fond and vivid memories of standing outside in the cold post service at the chapel on the mountain of Beaver Creek in Colorado singing Silent Night while holding a little white candle with a paper cup to collect the wax. It’s always quite magical to have a snowy white winter wonderland as a backdrop and miraculously we were blessed with just enough snowflakes today to dust everything in Texas with a blanket of winter white.

My absolutely favorite Christmas carol is O Holy Night.  If I had a voice to carry that tune I would for sure volunteer to belt it out at every service.  Most likely, I would drive my family mad as I would be singing it year round.  So for whatever reason, God did not bless me with a melodious voice and I realize this so I save the headache for my family and know to stay clear of the karaoke stage. Therefore, I stick with the spiritual gifts He did bless me with.

That being said, one of the first things I do at the Christmas eve service is glance through the program to verify that O Holy Night will be sung be someone blessed with a harmoniously divine voice.  I close my eyes and allow the graceful words of the song to marinate and resonate and permeate.  I wish the song was longer.  I wish the song was sung twice in a row.  For me, O Holy Night magnifies the meaning of Christmas.

I had to do a little research.  And according to Wikipedia, O Holy Night is based from a French poem called “Midnight, Christians.”  
Of course.  
Because I love anything and all things French.  
C’est magnifique!

The ardent light of our Faith,

Guides us all to the cradle of the infant,

As in ancient times a brilliant star

Conducted the Magi there from the orient.

The King of kings was born in a humble manger;

O mighty ones of today, proud of your grandeur,

It is to your pride that God preaches.

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

The Redeemer has overcome every obstacle:

The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.

He sees a brother where there was only a slave,

Love unites those that iron had chained.

Who will tell Him of our gratitude,

For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies.

People stand up! Sing of your deliverance,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!