Daily devotion – Silent Night
Silent Night
In the Austrian village of Hallein on Christmas Eve, 1818, the organist, Franz Gruber, composed a hymn called Song of Heaven and played and sang it in Church the following night. A man from a nearby town happened to hear the song and, being impressed, memorized the words and music, which he later taught to a traveling quartet.
By 1854, the piece had become so famous that a search was made for its unknown composer and Gruber was found. He then learned his song had been “memorized” , sung for 36 years and had become the most beloved Christmas hymn of all time under another name – “Silent Night”.
At that late date, the fact meant little to Franz Gruber, who was then 67, and he remained an obscure and impoverished organist until his death in 1863.
Silent Night
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 afar
Heavenly 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 dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
This coming Christmas eve we too will sing this grand hymn in honour of He who was born King in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ our Lord.