“Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. ‘Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent Night, Holy Night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing, ‘Alleluia!’ Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.”
This beloved Christmas carol is sung worldwide each year and has been translated into over 300 languages. The words and melody are simple, but they offer comfort and peace to a world where there is no comfort and certainly no peace. The story behind this song is quite interesting.
In 1816, on a quiet winter night while walking along the countryside in Salzburg, Austria, Joseph Mohr, a young priest, disturbed by the 12 years of decimation brought on by the Napoleon Wars, penned the words of “Silent Night, Holy Night” to express hope in a God who still cared.
In 1818, Joseph transferred to another parish in Oberndorf, where he met Franz Xaver Gruber, a local schoolteacher and organist. He asked Franz to compose a melody for the song, which he gladly did. As the organ was in disrepair, the two men sang “Silent Night,” accompanied by a guitar, on Christmas Eve, 1818. It eventually became a favorite song throughout the world.
One hundred years later, at the height of WWI, on Christmas Eve, a special event took place. Called The Christmas Truce of 1914, soldiers on both sides, German and British, laid down their weapons. They sang “Silent Night” and other carols. For just a short time, fighting subsided, and both sides met in the open, shaking hands and giving Christmas greetings. After helping to bury the dead, they played games and took photos. It was a moment of goodwill, shared humanity and peace. Generals on both sides, however, were not pleased and gave immediate orders to return to war. It was undoubtedly difficult for some of those to resume fighting after what they had experienced. Thousands more soldiers died once the war resumed.
The message of “Silent Night” is about peace and hope in a world filled with anxiety and unhappiness. Centuries ago, Isaiah prophesied: “Unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV1984).That came to pass at the right time.
Gabriel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:30-32). Later, while in Bethlehem, “she gave birth to her firstborn, a son” (Luke 2:7).
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night (a silent, peaceful night, most likely). An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:8-11).
In a simple message, “Silent Night, Holy Night” gives consolation, hope and peace. May we take a moment to experience the calmness and quietness of this Season.
