Silent Night

Twelve Songs of Christmas #9
Silent Night

Written in 1818 by Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber, Silent Night is one of the most well-known Christmas songs around today.  The version from Bing Crosby is one of the best selling singles of all time.  Musically, Silent Night is a simple folk-like song similar to many sung in Austria and Germany at the time it was written.

Silent Night begins much like O Little Town of Bethlehem--making note of the silence in Bethlehem as the Messiah was born.

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

Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 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 that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'...When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about'" (Luke 2:8-12, 15).

Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born!

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests'" (Luke 2:13-14).

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!

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:11).

In the midst of the silence, the Lord appeared to the world.  The world may have been asleep and missed the event, but the heavenly hosts celebrated, and began to spread the word of the coming Lord!