On Christmas Eve in 1818, a blizzard stranded the tiny village of Obendorf nestled in the Austrian Mountains. That same day, the people of St. Nicholas’s Church found their organ broken. So the priest and organist began composing a song that could be sung without an organ, yet beautiful enough to express their Christmas joy. All day and all night long they worked. And at midnight, the gentle carol “Silent Night” was born. The pure clear tones echoed through the hills. And the world has been captured by the beauty of that simple song ever since.
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 “
(Introduction from Reba’s Christmas Album)