"Silent Night" - A Beautiful Accident

My heart always has been stirred by the songs of Christmas. The words of our hymns and carols often express the theology and beliefs of Christian faith, which enables us to learn God’s truth, even as we sing. In addition, there often is a story behind the song that helps us to appreciate it more.

One of my favorite carols (and I’m obviously not alone in this) is Silent Night, written by Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber in 1818. I never cease to be amazed that this Christmas classic only came about as the result of a problem. 

In a village near Salzburg, Austria, it was a snowy Christmas Eve. Joseph Mohr, an assistant pastor at St. Nicholas Church, was preparing for the midnight service but the church organ was broken. How could there be music without an organ? And a Christmas service without music was unthinkable! 

Desperately searching for options, Mohr showed Gruber (the church organist and choir master) a poem he had written two years earlier while serving in a different church. He asked Gruber if he could write a simple melody and guitar arrangement for the poem, and they could offer it to the congregation that night. Gruber came through and – at the midnight service – Mohr played his guitar while the two men sang, “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night) for the first time.

A problem…a solution…and the world never has been the same. Isn’t that a great metaphor for how our God works?

As we know, in the years since, this hymn has become a favorite for people of all nationalities. In fact, during the Christmas truce of 1914 in World War I, this song was sung simultaneously by English and German troops as they huddled in their trenches on either side of “no man’s land." It was one of the few Christmas carols that soldiers on both sides knew. 

Incredible: a simple, timeless melody creates a special moment of unity between enemies. 

Silent Night’s message of hope and peace continues to touch hearts every Christmas season as people lift their voices to the creator in song. The lyrics comfort us…and bring serenity to our souls…and remind us of the coming of our King.

Are you in the midst of chaos? Feeling stressed-out? Distracted or disappointed? Here’s an opportunity to lift your spirits as you sing these words penned more than two hundred years ago. Breathe in God’s peace, breathe in his stillness, proclaim his message of love for us and our world, and never forget that God offers his grace through the coming of his Son Jesus. 

Meditate on these words, then sing them softly aloud: 

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.”

Silent night, holy night, 

wondrous star, lend your light.

With the angels, let us sing, 

“Alleluia to our King. 

Christ the Savior is born; Christ the Savior is born.”

Silent night, holy night, 

Son of God, love’s pure light.

Radiant beams from Thy holy face, 

with the dawn of redeeming grace.

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth; Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

My prayer is that these words will refresh your mind, your heart, and your soul during this Christmas seasons. 

Dear God, please help everyone who reads this blog to embrace the words of this song. May this message of peace and hope prepare them to celebrate, once again, the coming of Jesus. Help them to quiet their hearts as they read the words of this carol, and then – as they sing – help them to realize they are adding their voices to the never-ending Christmas choir: the heavenly host and believers all over the world, who each year sing and proclaim: “Jesus, Lord at your birth.” Thank you, God, for the message of Christmas. In Jesus name, Amen.