A Dangerous Christmas Song

Long before I became a Christian, Chris McDonald lodged “O Holy Night” in my brain.

We were middle-schoolers, and we weren’t the coolest kids. We were kindred spirits who were okay with being more toward the fringe than the center of things. I don’t think anyone saw any special talent in either of us.

Chris, though, had a super-power. He could sing. Really well.

One year, just before Christmas, all the students, teachers, and administration assembled in the auditorium.

I only remember one thing from that day. Chris McDonald, my friend from the fringes, stood up next to the piano. The auditorium became completely quiet.

Then, from the piano, the first few notes of “O Holy Night.”

Chris started to sing. Subtle clear notes at first, and gaining strength as he went…

Christ is the Lord
O praise his name forever
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim

The last note trailed off. Everyone jumped to their feet. The music, the words, and our ovation soaked into the walls of the auditorium and remained there as silent testimony.

Many years later, after the Lord rescued me from my sin and stupidity, I was driving to a mall to buy Christmas gifts. Christmas songs were playing on the radio in the background.

I don’t remember the song starting, but the words from the middle of it hit me like a bolt of lightning. I had to pull into a parking lot and clear my eyes because of its truth, joy, and beauty…

Christ is the Lord
O praise his name forever
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim

I’ve learned to keep an eye out for this song now, because I know what’s lurking in it.

Still, every now and then, it sneaks up on me, as it did at church recently, and I found myself stepping out of the sanctuary to look for tissues as the music and voices soaked into the walls behind me…

Christ is the Lord
O praise his name forever
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim