This hymn is probably one the most recognized and sung Christmas songs since it was created. I can’t speak for foreign countries, but I do know that most Christian churches across America sing this hymn, usually by candlelight as we did at our church last night, at the end of the Christmas Eve worship service each year. For me, this is one of my favorite things to do every year.
The most famous and bizarre performance of this hymn was on Christmas Eve in 1914 on the Western Front of World War 1. This event has come to be known as “The Christmas Truce.” An English machine gunner with the First Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, named Bruce Bairnsfather, wrote about it in his memoir. Around 10:00 PM, British soldiers heard German soldiers singing Christmas carols from their own trenches. It is rumored the song the English recognized first was “Silent Night.”
A German soldier called to the English soldiers in a thick accent, “Come over here.” An English sergeant answered, “You come half-way. I come half-way.” Embittered enemies from both trenches nervously climbed out and met in the middle of “No Man’s Land” that separated the two armies. Both enemies traded songs, tobacco, chocolate, and wine as they enjoyed a spontaneous cease-fire holiday “party.” The enemies had put aside their hatred for one another to celebrate the birth of their mutual Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This strange phenomenon actually happened up and down the Western Front that night. It should be viewed as proof of the love of God for us all and that love always conquers hate.
"Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" (“Silent Night, Holy Night”) was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to the lyrics written in 1816 by a Catholic priest, Joseph Mohr, in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It was first performed by guitar at St. Nicholas Parish Church because the church organ had suffered damage from flooding. By the 1840s, the song was well known and widespread. In 1859, John Freeman Young, an Episcopal priest serving at Trinity Church in New York City, translated the song into English. He reduced Mohr’s original six verses into just three, and this version is still sung today. The song’s melody is very recognizable and it has been translated into about 300 languages.
This version, sung by Lady A, has what is called a “counter melody” sung along with it. They technically renamed the song “Silent Night (Lord of my life)” with the counter melody included. The added melody by Lady A is annotated below in parenthesis. I actually think the counter melody adds a little extra oomph to an already great classic Christmas hymn.
The lyrics are below:
“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 (Lord of my life) holy night (I sing to You). Shepherds quake (Be with us now) at the sight (On this Christmas night). Glories stream from heaven afar (Let all be calm). Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah (And hearts be light). Christ the savior is born. Christ the savior is born.”
“Silent night (Oh, what a night) holy night (Praising Your birth). Son of God (Light of my heart) love's pure light (Shine down Your grace). Radiant beams from Thy holy face (To save the world). With the dawn of redeeming grace (To You we praise). Jesus Lord at Thy birth. Jesus Lord at Thy birth.”
As we discussed last week, the host of angels declaring Jesus Christ is born to the shepherds in the fields, was probably not a silent event. (Luke 2:6-20). However, I think Father Mohr was more alluding to the fact that Jesus Christ being born is what made the night holy, despite being born in a stable and laid in a livestock feeding trough and wrapped in rags. The light given off by the Star of Bethlehem was bound to be quite bright and magnificent, as was the host of angels.
The shepherds immediately ran out of the fields to visit the holy family in Bethlehem. Whoever was present after His birth, surely must have gathered around Him in pure awe and wonderment. Not only were they gazing upon a helpless, tender, newborn baby boy, they were gazing upon the true Son of God in the flesh; Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us, now and forevermore.
Yet, even in His tender and mild state as a newborn human, Jesus Christ was still fully our Almighty God from heaven. God is love and He loves you. (1 John 4:16). God is light (1 John 1:5) and He makes His face shine upon you. (Numbers 6:25). God delights in you and He smiles at you and protects you. (Zephaniah 3:17). There is no distance God won’t go to save us all and nothing that will separate us from His love. (Romans 8:38-39).
Soli Deo Gloria!
Philip Frank
Please “like” and “share” this post. If you haven’t already, you should “like” and “follow” our church’s Facebook page at: facebook.com/redeemeralpinetx for more. You can also subscribe to my devotion blog at: redeemeralpinetx.com/devotions. You can also search for past devotions on that blog page.
Comments