When was the last time you had a silent night? The term doesn’t only mean quiet. I believe the author meant to convey being at peace, contented, restful, joyful. Void of anxiety, strife, jealousy and anger.
2,029 years ago, some scholars Jesus was born during King Herod the Great reign and Herod died in 4-BC. Is believed Jesus was born between 6 and 4 BC. He died on the cross in 33-AD, so Jesus could have been a touch older than what we were taught growing up.
The term ‘Silent Night’ is not in the bible. The song was written in 1816 and put to music in 1818 and sang for the first time, Christmas Eve 1818. The song’s writer all those years ago named it Silent Night. That title/name seemed to capture the essence of that birth that changed the course of history. In that manger, it was a silent night in that it was void of distractions, fear, anger, resentment etc. because the mother and father knew that child was God come in the flesh. That night was silent and peaceful, but they knew their lives would never be the same. It was calm before the storm.
We all have storms in our lives competing for attention in our thoughts. It sounds cliché but if you can find that silent night and experience that rest, peace, and contentment – what a joy that is. I think our objective this holiday season should be to have more silent nights by finally, putting our trust in God to handle the storms in our lives. What a joy to be at rest and content in life. It doesn’t mean you have everything you every wanted, it just means you have chosen to let God be the director of your life. Merry Christmas. KT
The day our mother reached her destination of heaven in her life’s journey, the meaning and understanding of the song “Silent Night” changed for me, forever. As you, Rob, and I sang for our mother, those words came alive for me for the first time. “Silent Night” had always been my favorite Christmas song, but that day, it became so much more in my soul. I love you Keith.