Choosing a favorite hymn is a nearly impossible task. There are so many from which to choose. Even narrowing the field to only Advent/Christmas ones doesn’t help much. It’s like asking me to choose which of my children is the favorite. I can’t do it. They all have qualities and personalities (often very different) that I love and admire.

So “O Holy Night” is not my favorite Advent or Christmas song. It is one of my favorites. It is one that I long to hear during the Advent season (since it only gets played then). I judge Spotify playlists by whether it is included or not. I love to hear various renditions of it, sometimes with a solo artist, sometimes with a full choir.

What is it about this song that almost always moves me to tears even as there is a swelling of joy which rises inside me? First, the music is flat out amazing. The song starts off simple and soft. It helps you feel the stillness of the night when one of the most incredible events in human history occurs, the birth of the Savior, who is fully God and fully man. And as each verse progresses, it builds in intensity until it reaches full crescendo in the chorus. The music carries with it this sense of the extraordinary breaking into the ordinary, of the supernatural stepping forth into nature.

A second reason why this song is one of my favorites during this season is how it weaves together the Advent themes of darkness and light. There is the physical darkness of the night itself. Yet, there is also the moral darkness under which the world lay “in sin and error pining”. It is a darkness that burdens, enslaves (the hymn speaks of “chains”), and oppresses. All of which leads to the world being described as “weary” and I can think of few better words to describe how many of us feel at the end of 2020.

But darkness is not the only reality or the greatest reality. Into this darkness breaks the light of a greater truth, a greater reality. It is a light that brings a “thrill of hope”.  A light that promises a “new and glorious morn”. With the coming of this light, chains are broken and oppression ceases. Love (“his law is love”), peace (“his gospel is peace”), and joy (“the weary world rejoices”, “sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus we raise”) characterize this kingdom of light. And the king of this kingdom is none other than “our dear Savior”, Jesus Himself. The kingdom He inaugurates in His first advent is one for which our hearts long and the hymn describes it beautifully.

But the main reason this hymn is one of my favorites is because of what it calls me to. You may not be aware but the hymn and the poem on which it is based are structured with three verses and three choruses. Unlike many hymns and songs where the chorus is repeated, in “O Holy Night”, each verse gets its own unique chorus. Yet, each chorus is united by a common call and that call is a call to worship our God and Savior.

In the first chorus, the cry is to “fall on your knees”, a position of reverence that one takes in the presence of one who is greater. In particular, this greatness is due to His holiness, a holiness that is greater than the “holiness” of the night. In the second chorus, the call is to “lowly bend” before the King. This is a position of submission as we acknowledge that He is sovereign and we are His subjects. Finally, the third chorus ends the hymn with this declaration: “Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever, His power and glory evermore proclaim”.

Advent is not simply a time to eat special foods or enjoy special traditions or give special gifts (as great as all those might be). Nor is it simply a time to remember the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, as amazing and mind-blowing as the Incarnation is. Advent is ultimately a call and a plea for us to do what we were made for and that is to worship our Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So, take time this Advent season to worship and not just on Sunday mornings (though please do that!).  Reflect on the goodness of our sovereign God and then crank up the volume on your stereo, MP3 player, phone or other listening device and sing!