The Christmas carol, 鈥淪ilent Night,鈥 was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber, to the lyrics written by a young Catholic priest named Joseph Mohr.
Reflection upon the birth of The Christ child provided the backdrop of the carol penned following years of war in the region. The song was first sung at a church service on Christmas Eve. The beauty of the carol has endured, endearing the listener to a quiet, sacred evening, long ago. What a glorious testament of a supernatural birth of Jesus Christ the Lord, in a lowly manger.
In December, Christians commemorate and reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ. The magnificence of the Virgin birth of Israel鈥檚 Messiah, Emmanuel, heightens the spirit of believers of every age. While Calvary demonstrates Christ鈥檚 vicarious death on the Cross, and an empty tomb certifies the bodily resurrection, a virgin鈥檚 womb provides His advent into a world in desperate need of a Saviour.
The announcement of Jesus鈥 birth, delivered to shepherds on a Judean hillside, was met with intrigue and curiosity. What, God became a man!? This mystery is called the 鈥淗ypostatic Union.鈥 The mystery, accepted by faith, reveals that Jesus is 100% man, and 100% God. A mystery that transcends the limited understanding of humanity.
Nonetheless, this sinless God/Man would be crucified on behalf of sinful men. It was a vicarious atonement, a substitutionary death for every individual. Indeed, Jesus was born to die! This baby would fulfill the redemptive plan of the Heavenly Father decreed in eternity past. Each person who believes in this death and resurrection receives eternal life as a gift. What an unspeakable gift!
In the lyrics of the carol, the Rev. Mohr spoke of a silent night, a holy night. A night that exuded calm and quiet, where radiant beams from the holy face of the Christ-child. The mind鈥檚 eye of faith captured this divine moment of human history. In our caustic, sarcastic and traumatic society, we would do well to pause and hit the reset button.
Wouldn鈥檛 it be beneficial to be in a 鈥渟uspended animation;鈥 in abeyance, in order to recalibrate to our true north? Wouldn鈥檛 we benefit by focusing on the wonderous miracle of the Incarnation of the Saviour of the World? Wouldn鈥檛 it be transformational to ponder in our hearts our personal need of redemption, as well as a personal relationship with 鈥淭he One鈥 who alone can transform our lives? We need a silent night experience!
The peace of God was on glorious display that silent night. Quiet contemplation and adoration. Mystery. Revelation. Presentation. The wonder of it all needs to capture the heart and mind of a world spinning hopelessly away from 鈥淭he Hope,鈥 it so desperately needs. We emphatically declare that wise men still seek Him!
Let us focus on a holy night two thousand years ago and magnify The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Have a great season and receive the greatest gift ever given.
Jon Shonebarger is a Chaplain with the American Legion Department of Tennessee. Contact Jon at impacthought@gmail.com.
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