Silent Night

Oberndorf, Austria

Consider the story of the man who wrote this beloved Christmas Hymn, Joseph Mohr.  He was illegitimate and an outcast, but taken in by monk to learn music.  He was a ready student and learned music very well.  He eventually became a priest.  He wrote this poem when he was 23.  Within a couple of years he had met Franz Gruber, an organist, who set the poem to music.  It had its debut on Christmas Eve in 1818.

But consider the tender wonder expressed in these simple lines.  A holy reverence and  awe that can be glossed over in the familiar English translation.  I appreciate our Associate Pastor pointing these things out and then providing a more literal translation from the German.  From that (along with other language tools), I formed a new English translation.  I hope that it enables you to see the wonder of that moment where the Infinite became finite, the Transcendent became bound within the span of man.  What wonder, what condescension, what humility!  For us and for our salvation!

German—

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!

English—
 
Silent Night, Holy Night,
All asleep; yet awake
Holy couple, betrothed holy pair;
Babe in arms covered with her long hair,
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!

Silent Night, Holy Night,
Shepherds heard first announced
By the angel a great Hallelu
Sounded loud near and far as they flew:
Christ, the Savior is here!
Christ, the Savior is here!

Silent Night, Holy Night,
Son of God, oh what joy!
Love that flows from Your dear divine face
Strikes redemption for us in Your Grace—
Jesus Christ, in Your birth!
Jesus Christ, in Your birth!

Artist's conception of Bethlehem on the first Christmas