Beautiful voices are wonderful to hear as they perform live or as recorded music. So many opportunities are available to hear carols performed well at Christmas time. But this is also a time when even the non-singers can join in the fun of making music together. The blending of voices, good and not so good, is a pleasure to be part of without the fear of being criticised by others. Critics and monotones can all join together and sing to the Glory of God.
Things to do
- Go carol singing with friends or have a carols night at home.
- Sing a song...
Silent Night - Joseph Mohr, Franz Gruber
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 Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour 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!
- Read a story...
Silent Night was first sung on the Christmas of 1818. In the Austrian village of Oberndorf preparations and practices for the Christmas service were in progress. At one of the final practices the organist, Fraz Gruber, found that the bellows of the organ had a hole in them, eaten by a mouse. The organ would not be able to be fixed until after Christmas so Franz Gruber went to the parish priest, Joseph Mohr, to ask what was to be done. Father Mohr often wrote poems and songs and played guitar so they decided to set one of his poems to music for the midnight service.
After Christmas the bellows were fixed and the song was often sung in little Austrian villages where the organ mender spread the tune.
In 1832 it was sung in the Royal Chapel of Saxony for the King and Queen. From there this carol has become a favourite throughout the world and is sung in many different languages.
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