About a month ago my family, along with so many other families, went to a Christmas Eve service at church. And, like most of these services, the night ended with us singing Silent Night. It is always such a magical moment. The lights of the church were turned out and the only glow in the room was from the lit candles. So peaceful. So calm. Everyone sang the song in reverence to the moment as we pondered the birth of our Lord. All focus was on the meaning of Christianity, on the gift of God's Son to redeem humanity. We put aside all else and remembered why we have the gift of eternal life. Before I arrived I was hustling and bustling throughout my day preparing for the hustle and bustle of the next day's activities. But for that moment... silent night.
One of my goals this year is to end each day with a silent night. No, I won't be showing up to church, turing out the lights, and lighting a candle. Instead, my hope is to put my head on my pillow each night and savor the gift of Jesus. The day may be busy, the next day even busier, but I can still have that moment. So many of my nights end with my mind in chaos. My goal is usually to do whatever I can to ignore the multitude of thoughts swirling around and try to tune out the noise. Then I fall to sleep. But this year, as I stood singing Silent Night, I was amazed at how much peace my heart felt over something so simple. A simple moment of a silenced mind.
One of my goals this year is to end each day with a silent night. No, I won't be showing up to church, turing out the lights, and lighting a candle. Instead, my hope is to put my head on my pillow each night and savor the gift of Jesus. The day may be busy, the next day even busier, but I can still have that moment. So many of my nights end with my mind in chaos. My goal is usually to do whatever I can to ignore the multitude of thoughts swirling around and try to tune out the noise. Then I fall to sleep. But this year, as I stood singing Silent Night, I was amazed at how much peace my heart felt over something so simple. A simple moment of a silenced mind.
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 above
Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior 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.
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 above
Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior 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.
Copyright © Rachel D. Butler and Only Passing Through. All Rights Reserved.
Silent Night Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848; trans. by John F. Young, 1820-1885 (sts 1, 2, 3) and anon. Music: Franz Gruber, 1787-1863
Silent Night Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848; trans. by John F. Young, 1820-1885 (sts 1, 2, 3) and anon. Music: Franz Gruber, 1787-1863
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