It wasn’t too long after I became Catholic that my favorite Christmas song, White Christmas, by Bing Crosby, was replaced by the beautiful Christmas carol, O Holy Night. Accepting that I was a beloved son of God helped me understand the full meaning of the lyric, “’til He appears and the soul felt its worth.” I have often thought I should write about how this song touches my heart, and how I should frequently fall to my knees in praise. But, it seems the busyness of Christmas has always kept me from doing so.
Melinda and I went to Mass this morning for the fourth Sunday of Advent. As always, we picked up a bulletin and perused it once we got home. In today’s edition, our pastor, Fr. Craig Best, wrote a message to the parishioners, telling us that O Holy Night is his favorite Christmas carol, as well. After reading it, I thought how I could not express myself any better than he did. So, rather than creating my own Christmas message, I will simply share his. I don’t think he will mind.
Message from the Pastor
“Early in the lyrics of my favorite Christmas carol, O Holy Night, come the words:
‘Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Til He appears and the soul felt its worth.’
“I am deeply touched every time I hear this song and think of those lyrics, for what more could God have done to better demonstrate His love for us and our worth to Him than to enter our world the way He did, not to rule over us, but in order to serve, suffer, and die?
“I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have lived back in those times and to have come upon the scene at that first Christmas. What would have gone through my mind and heart upon seeing the humble, homeless Holy Family, or if the infant Jesus had met me in the eyes? No matter how often we come to church or pray, how can we not be touched to really meditate on the Nativity!
“A few lines later, as the music swells, we hear:
‘Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born.’
“If we had been there two thousand years ago, and truly knew Who it was Mary held in her arms, surely we would have fallen on our knees.
“But, here’s the thing: the very same Person who came to us in that stable in Bethlehem is born on our altar in every single Mass. To believe this is a gift, but it is a gift God wants you to have.
“We are so blessed to be Catholic. Please never take this for granted.
“Christmas blessings to you and your families.
“Fr. Craig.”
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Merry Christmas, everyone! May your day be blessed, and may you rejoice in the birth of our Lord, Jesus. I pray your soul will always feel its worth.
(O Holy Night was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)
Reflections of a Lay Catholic 