So, O Holy Night is actually one of my favorite Christmas songs, but I’ve never much liked the lyrics of the second verse and chorus. I’m singing it on Christmas Eve, and some dancers at our church are dancing to it, so I decided to write some additional lyrics. I’ve included them here, in italics.

O holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night
Of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
‘Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees
O hear the angels’ voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night
O night divine


Come, friends of Christ
And by his side attendeth
Who is and was, and ever shall be
Who, being God
Consented yet to humble
Himself for us, he became as we are

So bend your knee and offer him your homage
This true God Man breaks all chains of bondage

Fall on your knees
Oh hear, the angel voices
Our redeemer has come
Oh sing, Emmanuel
Our redeemer, Our redeemer
Has come, Emmanuel

Truly He taught us
To love one another,
His law is love and
His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break,
For the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O Praise His name forevers,
His power and glory forever more proclaim
His power and glory forever more proclaim