O Holy Night

Submitted by ub on

Our Favorite Christmas Song of Praise - Cantique de Noël, O Holy Night is a well-known Christmas carol composed in 1847 to the French poem Minuit, chrétiens Midnight, Christians by poet Placide Cappeau (1808–1877) The carol reflects on the birth of Jesus as humanity's redemption. O Holy Night was created by French opera composer Adolphe Adam, who also wrote the ballet, Giselle. More about that below.

While initially popular in France, the carol quickly fell out of favor after its premiere, when Adam’s Judaism and poet Placide Cappeau’s socialism worried the Church so much that they banned performances.  

However, eight years later, John Dwight, an American Unitarian minister, and classical music critic translated the carol into English, bringing its text and melody to a new audience. These are some of our favorite versions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9g1-X9gzQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7uiqRCW6I8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLZClW3YF5I

https://youtube.com/watch?v=uKILk4k3xvk...

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