
Silent Night
It is possible that Silent Night is the most widely translated and often sung of all the Christmas Carols. You can find some version of the translated words in almost every language and dialect. The words are so simple, and yet so powerful How amazing that something written by a humble Parish Priest on Christmas Eve 1818 has travelled around the world and touched hearts on every continent. What an example of how God can take a mustard seed and create “the largest plant in the yard.”
Today we are going to look at an ancient translation from the original German of Silent Night. The words are different than the modern version we sing. But the charm, tone, and message are the same. Reflect on what Josef Mohr wrote and what Franz Gruber set to music one Christmas Eve almost 200 years ago. What does each verse teach us about the Christ of Christmas, His Father, and their plan for mankind?
Silent night! Holy night! All′s asleep, one sole light, Just the faithful and holy pair, Lovely boy-child with curly hair, Sleep in heavenly peace! Sleep in heavenly peace!
Silent night! Holy night! God′s Son laughs, o how bright. Love from your holy lips shines clear, As the dawn of salvation draws near, Jesus, Lord, with your birth! Jesus, Lord, with your birth!
Silent night! Holy night! Brought the world peace tonight, From the heavens′ golden height Shows the grace of His holy might Jesus, as man on this earth! Jesus, as man on this earth!
Silent night! holy night! Where today all the might Of His fatherly love us graced And then Jesus, as brother embraced. All the peoples on earth! All the peoples on earth!
Silent night! Holy night! Long we hoped that He might, As our Lord, free us of wrath, Since times of our fathers He hath Promised to spare all mankind! Promised to spare all mankind!
Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds first see the sight. Told by angelic Alleluia, Sounding everywhere, both near and far: “Christ the Savior is here!” “Christ the Savior is here!”
Silent night! Holy night! Long we hoped that He might, As our Lord, free us of wrath, Since times of our fathers He hath Promised to spare all mankind! Promised to spare all mankind!
Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds first see the sight. Told by angelic Alleluia,
Sounding everywhere, both near and far: “Christ the Savior is here!” “Christ the Savior is here!”
God came in the flesh [incarnation] to die on the cross [crucifixion] to pay for my sins [substitution] so that I might live forever with Him [glorification]. Never forget that the story which begins in a manger, had it’s foundation in heaven. The story which seemed to end at a cross, truly triumphs with a crown! Have you accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, God, and King?
Witness: When I was a seeker I sought both night and day, I asked the Lord to help me, And he showed me the way. He made me a watchman Upon a city wall, And if I am a Christian, I am the least of all. Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere, Go tell it on the mountain, Our Jesus Christ is born.