December 24th Daily Devotion

HYMNS OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS 

If you were asked to name the most popular Christmas carol, Silent Night would be somewhere in your top five. It is included in most Christmas eve services, usually at the latest service and often that service ends or begins at midnight. It has been recorded by famous secular singers, internationally recognized choirs, and countless Sunday School children.   

The words were written in 1816 by Joseph Mohr and his words were set to music by Franz Gruber in 1818. It was first known by its German title, “Stille Nacht.” It was first performed in Oberndorf, Austria accompanied by a guitar because the church organ was not working.  

Silent Night has been translated into at least 140 different languages. There is a Silent Night museum in Salzburg, Austria.   

As you meditate this Christmas Eve upon the words of Silent Night its message picks up the message of the Angel to the shepherds, “peace on earth and goodwill to men.” Joseph Mohr penned the words of this beloved Christmas carol as the terrible Napoleonic wars had just ended. You can pick up this message in the opening ten words. . . “Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. . .”   

Jesus came to bring a more important peace than the end of war. He came into the world to bring peace between God and the human race. This peace is spiritual peace that is the result of the reconciliation Jesus won for all sinners through His death on Calvary’s cross. This peace is available to all who believe in Him. This peace became yours at your baptism and remains with you through its power. You receive it through the power of the Gospel and reception of the Lord’s Supper. 

Here are the words of this beloved Christmas Carol. I’m also including verse one in both English and German (the original language used by Mohr. 

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. 

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!  
Alles schlaft, einsam wacht  
Nur das traute, hochleilige Paar.  
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,  
Schalf in himmlischer Ruhn,  
Schalf in himmlischer Ruhn. 

Silent night, holy night!  
Shepherds quake at the sight;  
Glories stream from heaven afar,  
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.

(Text: Franz Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848. Public Domain.)   

Silent Night, Holy Night // LSB 363