“Silent Night” was written originally in German by Joseph Mohr, with music composed by Franz Gruber. The carol was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818 at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria. Legend says the church organ was broken, prompting Gruber to compose a simple guitar accompaniment. Subsequently accompanied by many instruments and translated into many languages, the text paints the picture of the incarnation. The last phrase is repeated, so in the second stanza we hear it twice: “Christ the Savior is born!” Every word of that phrase is significant, and every line of the Christmas carol describes a Bible truth. We use the beloved hymn to ponder the profound message of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
A Christmas That Is Merry
Merry Christmas to you and your family in the celebration of Christ’s birth! May your “merriness” be the same as it was for Jesus’ mother: … my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Luke 1:47). God has come near to us with his grace and truth. As you gather with loved ones, joy and peace are yours in a confident faith in your Savior.