Two Silent Nights

"Silent Night" is the most recorded Christmas carol of all time. However, it appropriately had a rather humble beginning. It was written by Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr in a tiny Austrian village. When a flood damaged their organ, they needed a simple song for their Christmas program. On the night of the performance, only a guitar accompanied the song. Traveling folk singers liked its simplicity, began singing it, and it spread around the world. 

Fast forward to 1914 and World War I, and you find one of the fascinating stories of where it's been sung. Late in December, the situation in the trenches became tense as soldiers on both sides tried to decide what the next fighting would be like. At 8:30 on Christmas Eve, the Germans lit the area around their trenches and began singing "Silent Night." British troops responded by singing "The First Noel."

This led to an unofficial cease-fire for the night. They got together and sang carols in their own languages: English, German, and French. Some played games and exchanged gifts, like cigarettes or candy. They talked and laughed and enjoyed each other's company until the next day when the war would resume. But the memories of the special time would linger and become almost legendary, a time when the guns were silenced.

But the song, "Silent Night," delivers a much more important message. It tells of a baby born in a manager, come to save all mankind if they will but accept Him as their Savior. It is a message of sacrifice, love, and hope. It is the crux of the gospel message and one that we need to hold fast to, keep in our hearts, and share with others all year long.

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