Wynonna Judd pulled double duty on Thursday (December 7) during the TV special Christmas at the Opry when she hosted the event and performed!
Back in September, the Grand Ole Opry announced that they would be having a brand-new television special held in their historic halls. On Facebook, the Opry even revealed who would be hosting – Wynonna Judd! They wrote, “Be part of our live audience at the taping of NBC’s new holiday special Christmas at the Opry, hosted by Wynonna at the Grand Ole Opry House on October 3rd!”
Not only did Wynonna host the whole event, she took the stage multiple times throughout the night! She opened the show with Kelly Clarkson with “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” and later sang “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” and “Mary, Did You Know?”
Wynonna recently released a solo version of “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem,” which she first recorded with her late mother, Naomi Judd, as part of their duo, The Judds, back in 1990.
RELATED: Wynonna Releases Bluesy Solo Version Of “Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem”
The third song Wynonna performed was the classic “O, Holy Night.”
What is the history of “O, Holy Night”?
“O Holy Night,” originally known as “Cantique de Noël,” is a Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam, a French composer, in 1847. The lyrics were written by Placide Cappeau, a wine merchant and poet, in 1843.
Cappeau was approached by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem, and he drew inspiration from the Gospel of Luke. He penned the lyrics that portrayed the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Cappeau’s poem was then set to music by Adolphe Adam, who composed the music specifically for Cappeau’s poem.
Interestingly, although the song gained popularity in France initially, it faced criticism from the church for its lack of musical taste and its association with Cappeau, who was known to be an atheist. However, the song’s popularity grew despite this controversy.
“O Holy Night” gained widespread recognition when it was performed in the United States. In 1855, John Sullivan Dwight, an American music critic and abolitionist, translated the song into English. Its powerful message of hope and redemption resonated deeply with people, particularly during the Civil War. Since then, it has become one of the most cherished and beloved Christmas carols worldwide. Its emotional melody and profound lyrics continue to evoke the spirit of Christmas for many people across different cultures and backgrounds.
Countless singers have provided their take on “O, Holy Night,” but we think Wynonna’s performance is one of the best! Watch it below.