Illustration: CHURCH NEWS
“Stille Nacht”.
Available on YouTube at
The original lyrics of “Stille Nacht” were written in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, by a Priest, Father Joseph Mohr. The melody was composed by an Austrian Headmaster, Franz Xavier Gruber. It was first published and performed in 1818.
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.
The following Text is from a German lady who left
a Comment on the YouTube rendering of “Stille Nacht”.
“I'm German, and I grew up listening to this Christmas Carol. Every time I hear this song , it transfers me way back
in time. We had a Tradition in Germany, where, on
Christmas Day, my Mum would be in the Living Room decorating the Christmas Tree and, also, the whole room
(the Living Room door was closed to us).
“We children went into the Kitchen, dimmed the light
and put candles on the table. All ten of us kids were sitting around a BIG table and sang Christmas Carols
(all in German, of course).
“It took my Mum almost the whole afternoon. We were full of excitement, but waited patiently. We would listen for my Mum to play this song. That was the cue that it was time to go in.
“So, we lined up: Biggest to smallest (long line).
She opened the door, and I tell you, we just stood there
in awe of how beautiful everything was.
“I think the best Christmas present we could give
our Mum was when she saw our sparkling eyes
and the big smiles on our faces ! This song is, and always
will be, what Christmas is all about: Love; Giving; and,
of course, The Birth of Jesus Christ.
Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus 🙏🏻
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Und frohe Weihnachten !
God Bless ! ”