O Holy Night

The first-ever radio broadcast took place on December 24, 1906, an achievement by the Canadian-born inventor Reginald Fessenden, who conducted his work in the United States. He specifically engineered a wireless transmission system using amplitude modulation (AM).

From AM and FM to short-wave and even pirate broadcasts, the diverse forms of radio have united the world, bridged continents, penetrated authoritarian regimes, promoted democracy, and, most importantly, disseminated the gospel. Its reach is not easily stopped by physical barriers, censorship, or vast distances, making it a truly revolutionary and enduring form of communication.

One of our missionary friends still uses radio broadcasting to preach the Gospel into Muslim strongholds in West Africa. I’ve personally listened to a radio broadcast in the Arabian Peninsula preaching the gospel. I’ve listened to J. Vernon Magee in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I’ve heard John MacArthur in London, England. By the kindness of God, I produced a radio program locally with other pastors for over eight years. This medium has been used to preach the same gospel that the angels preached on that sacred night.

It is remarkable that the first sounds transmitted over what would become the world’s greatest broadcast medium heralded the birth of the Savior. Two thousand years earlier, the Son of God was born humbly in a stable and laid in a manger. The only immediate welcoming party that night consisted of a few humble shepherds tending their flocks.

During this inaugural broadcast, Fessenden played the Christian hymn “O Holy Night” on his violin and concluded with the scripture from Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will.” The only ones hearing this broadcast were a few seamen off the coast of Massachusetts. 

The angels appeared to a few shepherds and said the words recorded in Luke 2:14. These humble few heard this celestial announcement that night, marking a deeply humbling entrance for the Christ child. However, the news of this birth would eventually spread throughout the world and continue to expand long after the child’s eventual death and resurrection.

(Sources: Pulpit and Pen, wikipedia.org)

O HOLY NIGHT

1 O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
or yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night, O night divine!

2 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,
there came 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; before Him lowly bend!

3 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 pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!