On December 24, 1818 the carol "Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht" was heard for the first time in a village church in Oberndorf, Austria. The congregation at that Midnight Mass in St. Nicholas Church listened as the voices of the assistant pastor, Fr. Joseph Mohr, and the choir director, Franz Xaver Gruber, rang through the church to the accompaniment of Fr. Mohr's guitar. On each of the six verses, the choir repeated the last two lines in four-part harmony.
On that evening in 1818 Joseph Mohr journeyed to the home of musician-schoolteacher Franz Gruber who lived in an apartment over the schoolhouse in nearby Arnsdorf. He showed his friend a poem he had written and asked him to add a melody and guitar accompaniment so that it could be sung at Midnight Mass. His reason for wanting the new carol is unknown. Some speculate that the organ would not work; others feel that the assistant pastor, who dearly loved guitar music, merely wanted a new carol for Christmas. Later that evening, as the two men, backed by the choir, stood in front of the main altar in St. Nicholas Church and sang "Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!" for the first time, they could hardly imagine the impact their composition would have on the world. Now translated into hundreds of languages, it is sung by untold millions every December from small chapels in the Andes to great cathedrals in Antwerp and Rome.
I learned this carol in school way back when Christmas was celebrated in public schools and Christmas plays were the norm. In fact, I think I learned most of the carols that I love today in school. Today's children are denied that blessing. How sad for America's children.
I'm sharing this for Spiritual Sundays. You can go there to find links to many spiritual and inspirational posts on different blogs. You may want to share. There is info there about how to do it.
I have a lovely German friend who often sings this as a solo in her native language on Christmas Eve. Beautiful! BTW, the linky on Spiritual Sundays is not up yet. I have tried loading the page several times. God bless!
ReplyDeleteThis story gave me chills. It's a beautiful song I never tire of. Yes, schools have certainly changed.
ReplyDeleteThis is another beautiful Christmas hymn. I haven't sung it yet this year...soon!
ReplyDeleteI had always heard that the organ wasn't working. Mice had eaten something?
ReplyDeleteYour blog looks beautiful!
Nancy (Fancy Horse)
Indeed it is very sad for American children to not be surrounded by prayer in schools! We sing Silent Night here in the Philippines too! Patsy from
ReplyDeleteHeARTworks
Thank you. I loved this!
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that our kids do not learn what we learned. Even sadder -- no one in my neighborhood goes out caroling any more? I remember the cold snow and cold noses, the warmth from the open doors as we went from house to house, and the hot chocolate at the end. How is it elsewhere, I wonder. Is caroling an activity of the past?
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, thank you for sharing this wonderful and very interesting information. I love this song.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I couldn't agree more about the state of America right now. When my sons (who are now in their 20's) were in elementary school, we had to change Easter Break to SPRING Break - and CHRISTMAS vacation became HOLIDAY break. Little did we know that we were starting down a very slippery slope.
I am not ashamed to join with the many others who stand on the name of JESUS - and we must proclaim His name and His message loud and clear.
Silent Night - yes, but now it's time to speak out for Him!
GOD BLESS!
It's a sweet story that is fun to learn! I sang this at church tonight for our Christmas concert. As I did, my mind soared back 30 years ago to the time when I used to go to midnight Christmas Eve services at a neighboring church since mine didn't do Christmas Eve services then. We always ended it singing Silent Night with only the candles to light the room. Sweet memories - and sweet joys as nowadays, so many churches offer us the delight of starting our Christmas with the gift of our time and attention at Christmas Eve services. Thanks for the sweet reminder. Have a blessed week.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, dear Charlotte. When we were kids, my friends and I would be rounding up homes in our little town many evenings in December and we would sing Christmas carols at their gates (in exchange for a few centavos ~ smile) and Silent Night was of course, always on the repertoire.
ReplyDeleteNow, I encourage my daughter, together with her friends in our suburban village, to go Christmas caroling. They had done it the past 2 years with tambourines, and they were so happy with their "collections". We bought a Christmas Carols songbook so they could learn the classic carols.
Wonderful Post ! After I thought about I think I learned most of the Carols in Public elementary school myself . It is so sad to think that other kids are not learning about our rich Christian heritage in our schools any more .
ReplyDeleteMy husband has told this story at many, many concerts. It's a favorite of mine and has made the song more precious.
ReplyDeleteSilent night, holy night...
Thanks for sharing that story, Charlotte. Yes, children today are missing so much. Blessings ~
ReplyDeleteYour blog looks beautiful, and the music is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my post. Your post is wonderful. Our church choir still goes out caroling and Silent Night is one that we always sing. Thank you for sharing its history. It brings more meaning to the song.
ReplyDeleteTHanks for sharing this with us...such a beautiful hymn I think. God bless....
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