The Story Behind that Christmas Hymn You Can’t Sing

The winding journey of “O Holy Night,” from a poem written by an atheist to a rousing pub song to an abolitionist anthem

One of my favorite things about this time of year is Christmas music. I’m the person who is secretly listening to it the day after Halloween, and when it starts playing in stores, I don’t begrudge anyone for playing it before Thanksgiving. Controversial, I…