Silent Night

Silent Night is one of the most famous Christmas songs. “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht” has been translated into 320 languages and dialects. Since 2011 it has been a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Austria.

Here are the lyrics in English and in German.

Silent night, holy night,                             Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht

All is calm, all is bright.                              Alles schläft; einsam wacht

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child,     Nur das traute, hochheilige Paar.

Holy infant, so tender and mild;              Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,

Sleep in heavenly peace,                           Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Sleep in heavenly peace.                           Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Silent night, holy night,                             Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,

Shepherds quake at the sight.                 Hirten erst kundgemacht

Glories stream from heaven afar,            Durch der Engel Halleluja,

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia;                    Tönt es laut von fern und nah:

Christ the Saviour is born,                         Christ, der Retter ist da!

Christ the Saviour is born.                         Christ, der Retter ist da!

Silent night, holy night,                             Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,

Son of God, love's pure light.                    Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht

Radiant beams from Thy holy face,         Lieb’ aus deinem göttlichen Mund,

With the dawn of redeeming grace;       Da schlägt uns die 'rettende                                                                                            Stunde'.

Jesus Lord, at Thy birth,                             Christ, in deiner Geburt!

Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.                             Christ, in deiner Geburt!

The song was originally written in German. The story behind the song is that In 1816 Joseph Mohr, a young priest in Austria, had written a poem. Two years later he was assigned to a church in Oberndorf, Austria and he needed a Christmas carol for the Christmas Eve service. The organ in this church had been destroyed due to flooding.

He went to his friend Franz Gruber, a teacher and organist, and asked him to compose a melody to his poem. Gruber composed the arrangement with guitar accompaniment. The song was first performed on Christmas Eve, December 24th, 1818 in the church of St. Nikola in Oberndorf near Salzburg, Austria.

“Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht” was quickly adopted by other churches throughout the region. In time, this popular carol spread around the world. Silent Night is sung in churches, homes, and in public during the holiday season.

My Handbell Choir will be playing Silent Night at our Christmas Eve service this year. 

Will you sing this #1 Carol this year too?

Merry Christmas everyone! Have a blessed time with family and friends.

# living life abundantly # published author # travelling tuesdays