It’s amazing how things happen. O Holy Night, one of the world’s most popular Christmas carols ever, has an amazing origin. Roquemaure is a small town in southern France and, in the 1870s, to celebrate the renovation of the the church organ, the parish priest approached a local wine connoisseur, also known for his poetry, to write a song.
Pic by Jones Design Co
Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, not being a church goer turned to the Gospel of Luke for inspiration. The story goes that Cappeau wrote the lyrics on a bumpy journey from Roquemaure to Paris, his imagination carrying him far from France to dusty Bethlehem where a star came to settle over a humble stable. By the time he arrived in the French capital, the song was complete. After penning Cantique de Noel, Cappeau approached his Jewish friend Adolphe Adam to write the music. His finished work was well received and three weeks later, opera singer Emily Laurey sang the song for the congregation during their Christmas celebrations of 1847. It very quickly became popular across France & was known by many. However, when the church discovered that Adam was of Jewish origin and Cappeau had turned his back on religion and become a socialist, the song was banned from being sung at services.
In 1855, American musical journalist John Sullivan Dwight, translated the French version into workable English and the version we know today, was born.
There is more to the amazing story of O Holy Night. On Christmas Eve 1906, ship operators off the coast of America were taken by surprise when instead of the beeps of morse code, a man’s voice came over the airwaves. Reginald Fessenden experimenting with an Alexanderson alternator and transmitter read from Luke 2. It was like a miracle. After reading from the Bible, Fessenden then picked up his violin and played O Holy Night.
What an amazing story. I love that it is a favourite across the world. The arrival of Jesus was a spectacular event
Luke 2:13-14
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests.”
Peace to those on whom His favour rests.
#134 of my 1000 thanks is that we have arrived safely in Johannesburg with the family. A joyful weekend is ahead. 🙂
Tomorrow is my niece’s wedding 🙂
These are the days.
Keep the smile going!
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Sources:
- www.beliefnet.com
- www.wikipaedia.com