Silent Night, Holy Night
Silent Night, Holy Night
Have you sung this Christmas season the carol, “Silent Night, Holy Night”? Joseph Mohr penned the words to this song in 1818 for a special Christmas service, but the church organist could not play the carol because the organ was broken. So, Rohr played the song on a guitar.
“Silent Night” remains the world’s most popular Christmas carol. The words of this carol give the reason for its fame.
“Silent night, holy night.” The night Jesus was born would have been anything but silent. A newborn cried loudly. Animals in the stable made noise. The little town of Bethlehem was jam-packed because of the Rome’s requirement of a census.
No, the night was not silent, but the night was indeed holy. God became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. Humanity was estranged from God due to sin, and reconciliation was necessary to restore the broken relationship. Jesus became the Reconciler.
Here we see the good new of Jesus. His death on a Roman cross made provision for the forgiveness of our sins. When we trust what Jesus did on that cross, He reconciles us with God, meaning He brings us into a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe.
“All is calm, all is bright.” A sense of holiness made the night calm. The power of God rested upon Joseph, Mary, and the baby. Shepherds in their fields had received a glorious announcement of Jesus birth from angels. Their announcement included the words, “Do not be afraid.” All of our fears have been conquered by Jesus, thus, bringing calm to our souls.
When we feel afraid Psalm 56:3 is our go-to Bible verse. “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
“Round yon virgin mother and child.” A children’s Sunday School group had been asked to draw pictures of the Nativity (you know, the scene of Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, the wise men, the shepherds, and the stable animals.) One boy drew the nativity scene but off to the side of his drawing was an overweight, portly man. The teacher asked about this character. The boy said, “Oh, that’s Round John Virgin.”
Mary, Jesus’ mom, was not just any mother, but a virgin mother. Her child, Jesus, had been conceived in her by a miracle of God. Why was a virgin birth necessary? Jesus’ redeeming death for humanity’s sins required that He be a perfect sacrifice. The virgin birth of Jesus affirmed His sinless nature.
“Holy infant, so tender and mild.” Pastor Charles Hardwick said, “On that silent night, God kept His promise; the God of the universe had become flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood—moved into a stable, moved into a feeding trough. God is still keeping promises like this today. Jesus is still moving into neighborhoods.” Even more, Jesus moves into hearts.
“Sleep in heavenly peace.” In New York City, those who are troubled, anxious, and need someone to talk with can visit the Grandma Stand, a makeshift therapy booth on West 63rd Street. Actual grandmas take turns in the booth talking with passersby, listening to people’s problems, and dispensing grandmotherly advice.
Jesus said, “My peace I give to you” (see John 14:27). Because of Jesus we all can sleep in heavenly peace no matter the times, the world’s problems, nor the circumstances of our lives. Jesus gives peace and rest to weary, troubled, anxious souls.
We see God’s involvement in our lives on that first Silent Night. God is involved in the big concerns we face and the small things that often irritate us. Why? Because He loves us.
