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O holy night 
The stars are brightly shining 
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth... 

The first version of the song that sticks out in my mind was performed by George Beverly Shea.  Shea, who toured with the Billy Graham crusades for several decades, gave the soul his signature haunting quality.  The most memorable performances of the song, of late, include Celine Dion's performance and that of Josh Gorban.  

When Celine sings the song, she sings with such grace, such precision, and such passion that the experience can melt the heart of even the coldest of souls.  It will give you goosebumps and send tears of joy like rivers of raw emotion, down your rosy cheeks.  She takes you there and tells the story like nobody else could tell it.  

Josh Gorban's performance is pretty tricky to top as well.  He takes command of the song as if he were the sole proprietor. 

But you don't have to be a great singer to move people with the song.  All you have to do is sing it.  The song speaks for itself.  It is simple, yet powerful.  It is a deeply intimate portrait that actually transports you to the site where Jesus was born.  It captures the glory, the wonder, the awe and the beauty, like only a masterpiece can.  

…chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother... 
The song has become a timeless, internationally beloved classic, but it started out as a sleeper in France, in the 19th century, where the song was ultimately rejected by the church as "unfit."  The United States discovered the song (more specifically, abolitionists within the United States), made it an athem of emancipation from slavery, and it soon topped the Billboard charts (well, it would have it they would have offered such a chart back in the day.  

Yes, the church in France killed the song.  The song was gonged, but not for long.  Politics got in the way of their decision making process, but they eventually came around to embracing the song.  

You can catch the whole story behind the song here: 
http://www.findthepower.com/ChristmasPagesTheStoryOfOHolyNight.htm 
The song has surely stood the test of time and isn't going anywhere soon (except straight to your heart).  Each artist brings his/her own personality to the song, shaping the song in a unique way while preserving the essense of the song. 

The song has tremendous therapeutic value, beginning with of the message of hope that it so boldly proclaims.   
If you want to hear my version, "stay tuned" here: 
http://www.drblt.net 
And while you're at it, have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.