The second Christmas Carol we’ll reflect on is Silent Night. This beloved carol was written in 1816 by a young priest in Austria, Joseph Mohr. Franz Gruber was the organist responsible for such a memorable melody. I don’t know about you, but when I hear this song, it’s like I’m transported into the closing moments of any Christmas Eve service gone by. The lights go dim, and I stand there in the dark of a silent night, holding my own candle while singing “Silent Night.”
Now that we’re in Mexico, the same tune is used for a very similar song called Noche De Paz, Noche De Amor (Night of Peace, Night of Love). In our worship Christmas Eve this year, I was brought to tears by the lyrics once again! So simple, yet profound!
It’s now the second day of Christmas, and many people will start taking down their decorations. I challenge you to leave them up for this whole season of the 12 Days of Christmas. Even when our ornaments are carefully stored for another year, let’s never forget the night our Lord was born. Can we even fathom how much God loved our world? He stepped out of his majesty for you and for me.Â
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.
If you’ve been around a newborn, you know they can sleep a lot! But they also have their moments of being the opposite of “silent!” To me, this verse speaks to the peace felt by all, not just the infant king so tender and mild. I’m talking about a restful peace we can still muster today. Jesus brings us that peace and not just at night! When we close out the noise of the world and focus on our Savior, that heavenly peace can descend and surround us, too, any time of day.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born
What a glorious night! Literally. There had never been such a miracle! To have been a shepherd seeing all this heavenly splendor explode across the sky would have left me quaking, too! Little did those shepherds know what an honor they had been given. Their Savior had just been born! Luke 2:11 says, “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
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
Have you ever thought the star lighting up the sky that blessed night could be radiant beams coming from heaven? God was looking down, so very pleased with his entrance into our world. God loved us so much, and his redeeming grace is proof of that.
What is our response? Luke 1:68 reads, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.” Praise the Lord indeed! God’s grace is a gift that keeps on giving. How can we help but praise? Let’s join in with the heavenly hosts and sing or shout, Alleluia!
Let’s pray. Father God, help me to take time today to be silent so I can listen for your voice. Wrap me in your peace. May your “silent night peace” soothe my soul and keep me focused on you. Thank you that we can worship you and sing your praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
