It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – The Petersens

When Angels Sing: Watching The Petersens Bring a Classic to Life
There’s something quietly powerful about a live performance — the subtle breath before the first note, the swirl of strings and voices, the hush as the audience leans in. In their live rendition of It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, The Petersens tap into all of that, wrapping an old carol in fresh warmth and modern sincerity.

Originally penned in 1849 by Edmund H. Sears, the hymn was born from a time of turmoil and deep longing. Sears wrote not in celebration, but in sorrow — a world wearied by conflict and suffering. In his lyrics, the “glorious song of old” comes from angels, promising “peace on the earth, goodwill to men.”

What makes “Midnight Clear” resonate across centuries is that it’s less about nativity pageantry and more about hope and spiritual longing: a call to stop, listen, and remember that peace is more than a holiday slogan — it’s a message meant for troubled times.

The Petersens’ Version: A Blend of Tradition and Heart
In this live version, The Petersens — known for their rootsy, close-harmonies and heartfelt instrumentation — treat “Midnight Clear” with care and reverence. Their arrangement doesn’t attempt to reinvent the song; instead, it invites the listener into a moment of stillness. The gentle strumming, the soft vocal harmonies, the subtle pauses — they all bring out the hymn’s message of peace and longing.

There’s a tenderness here that feels intentional, as though they’re offering a quiet refuge from holiday chaos. The song’s message — “peace on the earth, goodwill to men” — lands differently when stripped of commercial gloss and delivered live, in the round, audible in breathing and strings.