Notes of Faith December 24, 2023
Silent Night, Holy Night
Originally written in German, “Silent Night, Holy Night” is the only one of Joseph Mohr’s works to be translated into English. It was written for a Christmas Eve service at Mohr’s church, but it didn’t catch on for a couple of decades. By the middle of the nineteenth century, however, its popularity had spread. Bing Crosby’s version of this Christmas classic is the fourth best-selling single of all time. (You really can’t go wrong with a Crosby-Christmas combo.)
Over the years, some have questioned the concept of a “silent night” when the song is about a baby being born in a stable. Surely, they claim, there were cries of babe and mother mingled with the noise of various animals. I fear those individuals may have missed the point entirely. It was a silent night in that it was a holy night.
There is a stillness in holiness that causes worldly noise to fade into the background.
Take a moment and read the words to Mohr’s hymn. Think about it not in terms of a birth story but as God entering the world.
Imagine the hush of Heaven as all the host held their breath.
Envision the awe of the shepherds. See a silent Joseph who just witnessed the Son of God being born. Did a cattle low? Sure. A baby cry? Absolutely. But make no mistake. It was a silent, holy night.
Lord, what a holy night it was when love came down to earth.
Excerpted from 100 Favorite Hymns by Stacy Edwards, copyright Thomas Nelson.
Joseph and Mary have arrived in Bethlehem, brought there to be counted in a census for the Roman government. But God brought them there to fulfill prophecy, that Jesus would be born in the town of David. The sky was filled with loud praise and worship by the angels proclaiming the coming of “Immanuel” God with us. The Son of God took on flesh that He might redeem mankind from the curse of sin and bring intimate relationship back with God! Worship Him today and every day. Give thanks for His love for you and tell everyone about the giver of true life and life eternal.
Pastor Dale