Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Published 6:04 pm Thursday, December 12, 2024

Nearly 30 years ago Mike Johnson and Scott Wachter began performing together.  The local duo brought spectacular harmonies to gospel music.  A short time later I met Scott through a youth ministry in Blair.  I knew immediately I had to have them come perform at the Baptist Church.

One song in particular came alive as they crooned the powerful lyrics with impeccable harmony.  For the first time, Oh Holy Night took on new meaning as the my soul felt its worth.

Written in 1843 by a French wine commissioner and part time poet, the words penned to capture the night of Christ’s birth was set to music by Adolphe Adam. Slight changes to the melody were made by John Sullivan Dwight as the English version was first shared.

In the mid 1990’s, I felt those lyrics pierce my broken soul as I found myself in a very dark place following a broken relationship. 

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth

Over the years, I have heard Scott and Mike sing that song producing the same result within me.  Tears.

I thought I would never hear that song sung any better than those two local gentleman were able to do so. That was until Sunday evening.

Mike Johnson and Scott Wachter were invited back to the Swedish Heritage Center to share their music following the annual Sankta Lucia Festival.  The two were joined by Mike’s son Cole Johnson, Oakland’s Cory Martin and Miriel Brokaw of Lyons.

They ended the concert in the most fitting manner singing O Holy Night.  Miriel joined in the singing though an unknown problem left her voice all but silenced as her microphone’s volume was not loud enough to break through the powerful voices of the seasoned vocalist.

Thankfully, Mike stopped the song part way through the third verse knowing there was a problem.  Everyone laughed but few were prepared for what followed.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.

That is when I was humbled.  I would have never imagined anything could improve the harmonies of Mike and Scott.  But there it was, ascending to new heights, Miriel took the powerful lyrics to a new level.  Right on cue, misty eyes turned to tears as the final words were sung.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

Thank you to the children who portrayed the story of St. Lucy.  Thank you for reminding us that the light of Christ has entered into our darkness.

Thank you to Mike and Scott for you friendship and for using your gift of music to illuminate the joy of knowing Christ.

And thank you to Miriel Brokaw.  May God richly bless your voice as you seek to use it for God’s glory.

I would be remiss to not thank the Swedish Heritage Center board for keeping these traditions of Christmas alive.  And to all who support the center.  A special Merry Christmas to you.