Silent Night

About the Carol

"Silent Night" is a very popular carol written by Joseph Mohr (1792-1848) in 1816, with the music composed by his friend Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863) two years later. The carol is such in inextricable part of Christian culture that it was declared an intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011.

Lyrics ^{Back to Top ↑}

Analysis of Carol ^{Back to Top ↑}

Many people in the Bible have been afraid in the sight of angels, and the shepherds were no different. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not.^{Luke 2:8-10}

Perhaps not literally true of Jesus' birth, the heavenly host and us will say this at Jesus's victory. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.^{Revelation 19:6}

A reference to Jesus's description in Revelation. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire.^{Revelation 1:14}