One of my favorite things about the season of Christmas are the carols that we sing.

Each Christmas Eve we would sing Silent Night at the midnight service, with the lights out and candles lit. There was always a feeling in the air that I could not describe. Reverence, peace, hope, love, all those feelings washed over me as we sung the lyrics of this carol. Ironically, my son Matthew loves this song too. My thought is for the same reasons…the feeling of hope and peace the falls over him.

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 Savior is born
Christ, the Savior 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

This carol was heard for the first time in a village church in Orbendorf, Austria. Rumor has it that the village church pastored by Josef Mohr was without their organ for the upcoming Christmas season. Mohr penned the words to the poem after being inspired during an evening walk. Shortly after writing the poem, he took the words to friend and musician/schoolteacher Franz Gruvber, who composed a guitar arrangement to be played with the song at Christmas Eve mass.

A master organ builder and repairman, came to the church to help with the repairs, and heard the carol. Impressed with the song, he took the composition and had two traveling singing groupa the Strassers and the Rainer family perform the song during their tours. Eventually the Rainer family performed the song before royalty and other great musicians of their time, and the carol grew in popularity and recognition.

I can only imagine standing in the village church during that Christmas Mass and hearing this song for the first time, sung with love, hope, and expectation of the season that was at hand. The hope of a mother holding a baby in swaddling cloth, a baby that would inspire peace and unity among mankind. The majesty and joy of the angels and shepherds as they witness the birth of the Christ child, the promise that has been testified to for years by the prophets. The feeling on earth as the Redeemer is born, and the promise of grace is about to be fulfilled.

That one night. That silent night promising hope. That holy night promising God’s grace is at hand. Revel in the peace and hope of the season today.

Silent Night – Aaron Neville – Linda Ronstadt

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