Christmas Eve, 1906 marked a significant event.
One hundred three years ago, the first AM radio broadcast occurred. It’s reported that ships off the New England coast heard the first song ever broadcast: O HOLY NIGHT.
As I scan the lyrics, I can’t avoid silently humming the familiar melody and imagining the peace and comfort experienced by those who heard the notes in the darkness.
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the 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 soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend!Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
On this anniversary of that holy night many of us are safe and warm, surrounded by family and loved ones. I’m thankful for that, but this story reminds me that lots of folks aren’t quite so fortunate.
Homelessness, illness, and even death don’t always recognize holidays. Loneliness and fear do some of their greatest damage during vulnerable moments. I’m also reminded that, like those sailors in 1906, some are working at jobs that preserve and defend our safety and freedom.
Let’s all take a moment to remember those for whom Christmas Eve means being away from home, those who experience uncertainty and want, and those for whom this will be a day of grief and pain.
My prayer is that everyone, regardless of circumstances, will sense the peace and comfort of this holy night. My goal for today is to keep these words in front of me: Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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