And the Song Touched Hearts Across the World

Betty Hicks

Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard.

Psalm 66:8 (NIV)

Only God could orchestrate the various events over the years where people worshipped Him by singing O Holy Night. Because of its widespread popularity, the French Catholic Church accepted it back into their worship services (see previous day’s devotion).

American abolitionist, John Sullivan Dwight, identified with the third verse. Translated into English, it became popular in the U.S. during the American Civil War.

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

In 1871, amid the Franco-Prussian War, a French soldier jumped out of a trench during a lull in fighting and sang O Holy Night on Christmas Eve. A German followed suit with one of Luther’s hymns. The “songfest” continued throughout a 24-hour truce.

On Christmas Eve, 1906, Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian Scientist, transmitted the first ever radio broadcast. Operators on ships and clerks at newspaper desks around the world were amazed to hear his voice over the airwaves. He read the story of Jesus’ birth, then picked up his violin and sang O Holy Night.

Eight years later, during a World War I truce along the Western Front, unarmed British, French, and German soldiers sang O Holy Night during Christmas week. Crossing trenches, they exchanged greetings and sang carols.

Father, I am so thankful that hearts are touched all over the world

by songs of worship to You.