The Christmas carol Silent Night is one of the most beloved Christmas holiday songs of all time. But most of us are unaware of its fascinating history. You may think it’s just a Christmas carol, but in truth, it is much more than that. It has been passed down through generations and holds deep meaning for many people around the world.
Where Did It All Begin?
Silent Night was originally written in the German language and was known as Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht. On Christmas Eve in 1818 pastor Joseph Franz Mohr (1792-1848) walked 3 kilometers from his home in the Austrian village of Oberndorf bei Salzburg to visit his friend Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863) in the neighboring town of Arnsdorf bei Laufen. Mohr brought with him a poem he had written some two years earlier. He desperately needed a carol for the Christmas Eve midnight mass that was only hours away. He hoped his friend, a schoolteacher who also served as the church’s choirmaster and organist, could set his poem to music.
The church organ was out of commission due to recent flooding, so Gruber composed Silent Night music for a guitar accompaniment. Gruber completed his composition and within a few hours he and Mohr stood before the altar of the St Nicholas Church in Oberndorf to perform Silent Night with a local choir backing.
Another historical moment where the impact of this famous song and its lyrics were felt took place a few weeks before 25th December 1914. During World War 1 German and British soldiers began a widespread unofficial ceasefire along the Western Front. The soldiers crossed trenches and exchanged food, tobacco, alcohol, and souvenirs such as buttons and hats. The Germans placed candles on their trenches and sang Christmas carols including Silent Night, the British responded by also singing Christmas carols.
Silent Night Lyrics
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, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born
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
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
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
Sing Silent Night with Piedmont Church
Join us this Christmas season as we sing Silent Night, along with other Christmas carols, that have impacted millions throughout history. Visit https://piedmontchurch.tv/christmas/ for all the amazing opportunities this Christmas at Piedmont Church.