December 23, 2020 (Wednesday)
Originally written in German, this song touches the hearts of all people everywhere. It is a picture of perfect peace. Our Savior can bring peace to this troubled world. Imagine a world in which all people bow before Jesus as Lord, loving one another.
Joseph Mohr 1816 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 the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King. Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. |
In 1914, during World War 1, on Christmas Eve, the soldiers from each side sang this hymn from their trenches. As they sang, some began to emerge from the cold, wet, miserable holes in the ground. Soon both sides were represented by a good number of soldiers, singing, sharing photos of families, and crudely celebrating Christmas with each other. The high-ranking officers from both sides disapproved when they heard of it, and it was never repeated. But for a brief moment, the true spirit that Christ brought to the world could be seen on the battlefield.