Silent………

…….Night, Holy Night

Of all the Christmas Carols, this is my favourite.

It was:
- Written as a poem in 1816 by an Austrian priest called Joseph Mohr
- On Christmas Eve in 1818 in the small alpine village called Oberndorf it is said that the organ at St Nicholas Church had broken.
- Joseph Mohr gave the poem of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber
- The melody of Silent Night was composed, intended for a guitar.
- The simple score was finished in time for Midnight Mass


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 "


The Nativity
Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first nativity scene in 1223



23rd/SP/5.30am/2nd