For as long as I can remember the closing song of our Christmas Eve services (at several different churches) was "Silent Night! Holy Night!" I think it must be the most beloved Christmas carol ever sung. And it all came about because of a broken organ.
Joseph Mohr, a priest in the high Alps Church of St. Nicholas, and the church organist, Franz Gruber, were desperate for music for their Christmas Eve mass. Father Mohr wrote the words and Gruber said, "Friend Mohr, you have fount it--the right song--God be praised!" He immediately began composing the music to go with the words of "Silent Night! Holy Night!" On Christmas Eve in 1818, the two friends sang the new carol for their parishioners with Gruber playing his guitar.
"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 a far, Heav'nly 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. Amen". (Joseph Mohr, 1818, Franz Gruber, 1818).
"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told," (Luke 2:16-20 NIV).
Oh, Mighty God, Giver of Thy Holy Son, our hearts are full of the glory of the gift of Your Holy Son. We rejoice that You gave us Your beloved Son, to save us from our sins. Lord, keep our hearts filled with the joy and the blessing of King Emmanuel, Jesus Lord at Thy birth. Help us to share this message with others whom we encounter. We praise You and worship You. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment