Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Silent Night Advent Devotional

Luke 2:7 ESV And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Imagine a small Austrian town, in 1818. The town is Oberndorf bei Salzberg. It is night, you are walking home, in the darkness and the only illumination is from candles or lanterns. The moon rises stately over the mountains and there is a crisp December crunch under your feet. The sounds of the organ come drifting serenely from the church, until a broken note breaks the serenity of the night. The organ was damaged due to water damage from a recent flood. A young priest that was to lead the Christmas Eve Mass composed a new hymn and had his friend Franz Gruber write a melody for it. It was performed simply that Christmas Eve with only a guitar accompaniment. No other song has ever been penned that has the clarity, beauty and hope of this familiar tune, Silent Night. The song has become so integral in our Advent and Christmas time celebrations, I doubt that it would feel like Christmas without it. 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! Prayer Heavenly Father, Grant us the peace of knowing that you have everything under control. Grant us the wisdom to discern what is important in your eyes. Grant us the power to do your will during this Advent season and beyond. Thank you for our salvation through Christ, Jesus.