One of the most beloved Christmas hymns of all time, “Silent Night”, also happens to have two fascinating stories to help make it even more special. The story of how it came into being is proof again that even when things are not going exactly as planned, God can still make something amazing. The second story is proof that even in the midst of a hellish war, a beautiful moment can have a lasting impact.

 
The small town of Oberndorf, Austria, was preparing for Christmas Eve in 1818 and the local church had a problem. Their organ was in such disrepair, probably part of the devastation of the Napoleonic Wars, that it was not usable. The priest, Joseph Mohr, had written a poem during the recovery and hardship of war that he hoped would usher in some peace, some heavenly peace. As Christmas Eve approached he gave the poem to the church organist, Franz Guber, who then set the wonderful and rather simple tune to the words of the song we now know as “Silent Night, Holy Night” and it was used during their Christmas midnight worship service. Knowing the organ was out of commission he wrote the tune so it could be played on guitar. After that, traveling singers realized they could take it with them very easily, and that is how it began its journey around the world and now has been translated into countless languages.

 
The other touching story behind this wonderful song happened in 1914 during the first World War. On Christmas Eve the British and German troops agreed to an unofficial truce because both sides held Christmas near and dear. During the truce many soldiers sang carols and some even emerged from their trenches to exchange small tokens or “gifts” with each other. In what can only be described as a miraculous moment of civility, British and German soldiers mingled together, with one another. At some point the famous Austrian opera star, Ernestine Schumann Heinke, could be heard singing on their radios, and she was, of course, singing “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht”. For a few tranquil moments both sides enjoyed a night where gunfire was silent, and thoughts turned to more holy and peaceful things, and a heavenly peace fell on the fields of battle.

 
Merry Christmas,
Charlie Barganier