The forgotten verse

My favorite Christmas song has always been "O Holy Night". Im not sure why it was in the beginning, but as I got older and life got more... well, lifelike, it took on a whole new meaning. The sad part is, as it gets played over and over again on the radio, they take out the best verse, the second verse. And in a world so cold and difficult, it seems to be the verse we need to hear the most.


O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd 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.

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 come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Behold your King.

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.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

I remember being in Helena just before Christmas and singing with the ward choir. We were practicing this song (for the first time) and we got to the second verse and I just fell apart. I was a greenie and so homesick and so overwhelmed with mission life. It was one of those moments where you know the clouds are opening up and you know that the verse was written just for you at that very moment. I cried for pretty much the rest of the day.

This year, a billion lifetimes since, I keep hearing it on the radio, missing my verse. But I still apreciate the message as it is and cry, if not quite as much. And everytime I hear, "fall on you knees" as an adult, I can say I know what that means. I know why every knee will bow and every tongue confess. I know what it must be like to wash the Lord's feet with my tears. And I can hope and truly feel my worth because Christ was born and fulfilled his mission. May we all realize our worth, recognize what we are really celebrating this Christmas season and may that knowledge guide us to fulfill our own missions in this life.

I love you all.