O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

What a magnificent way to end a Carols event – to have many singing the praises of our Saviour and calling for each other to fall to our knees.

This famous (French) poem ‘O Holy Night’ is rich in good theology and takes us on a thrilling ride from loss and condemnation (‘Long lay the world in sin and error pining’) to wonder and praise at the birth of Christ (‘For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn’ ) That child, Jesus, was the Son of God sent to absolve us of our sin by his death on the cross.  That child was, and is, the hope of the world.

How different the hopeful and joyful voices of those singing this carol are to the voices of our weary world – those rushing around the shops busily buying for Christmas. We live in a world tainted by sin and one that does not work the way it was created to work.  A world that often rejects its creator. A world of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, dishonest trading, stealing, death, tears, anguish and indescribable pain. A world worn out by the grind, and pain, and longing for something better.

It was this world that God sent his king of kings to be born to be our friend.

The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Celebrate together – the coming of the one who knows our weakness and loves us still. Fall to your knees in praise and adoration (and repentance). And in the days of Christmas proclaim his power and glory for he is … Christ the Lord.

Happy Christmas.