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 with permission from 100 Favorite Hymns by Stacy Edwards, copyright Thomas Nelson.

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Your Turn

Merry Christmas Eve! Tonight, let’s focus on the miracle that happened that holy night. Love came to earth! Jesus, the King, was born! Praise Him! ~ Devotionals Daily