Issue 2003 #4
Table of Contents:
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Silent Night, Holy Night
Joseph Mohr (1792 - 1848)
A Catholic priest and his organist discussed among themselves the many hymns
their congregations sang. They agreed that the perfect hymn had not been
written. Then just before Christmas time in 1818, the church organ broke down.
Suddenly they needed a new hymn that could be sung without the accompaniment
of the organ. Mohr wrote this Christmas hymn and asked his good friend Franz
Gruber to put music to the words.
This hymn would have remained unknown had it not been for the organ repairman
who got a copy of the hymn and passed it on to others. Later, John Feeman Young
(1820 - 1885) translated the song. Today it is one of the most beloved of all
Christmas songs.
As we approach this Christmas season, think of the words of this hymn and let
them sink deep into your heart.
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