Tonight, Christians around the globe will celebrate the birth of Christ in holy candlelight vigils and ceremonies.

One of the most beautiful Christmas hymns ever sung is O Holy Night. It’s not exactly a caroling song, but when you hear it done right it can send your spirit soaring (and your tears falling).

Tonight, the night of the savior’s birth, sees all of heaven holding its breath, waiting for the Messiah to appear. As He enters the world, the lyrics of O Holy Night give us a foreshadow of Jesus purpose and power.

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 will cease.

When I hear those words, “And in his name all oppression will cease,” I think of the 27 million slaves in our world today. I think of the billions of people who are oppressed by extreme poverty, lack of water, no opportunities. Oppression enslaves billions of God’s people.

But in His name all oppression ceases.

His law is love, his gospel is peace. He breaks the chains of our brothers, the slaves.

How?

Jesus does not shoot heavenly lightning at the unjust. It is us, in His name that bring an end to oppression and darkness.

Jesus, we pause on this Holy Night to give you praise and thank you for teaching us how to love. We can love because you loved us first by being born on this night in a manger. You came to make that love the “law of the land” for your Kingdom. You command us to bring peace, break chains, and embrace slaves as our family. Jesus Christ of Nazareth, inhabit our hearts and our praises today. May your power infuse our spirits and guide our actions to end ALL oppression in your name. In your name, Amen.