It was on Christmas Eve in 1918 that the hymn Silent Night was first performed in Oberndorf, Austria. The words were in the form of a poem written by a young catholic priest named Joseph Mohr. Mohr took the poem to Franz Xaver Gruber who composed and arranged the melody.
They combined their musical talents to include this hymn in the vigil mass at the Church of St Nicholas in Oberndorf. The song itself was declared to be an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011
Lord,
we give thanks for this hymn and for all the music that speaks to us so powerfully of the birth of Christ and its significance for the world.
As we listen to these hymns and perhaps join in the liturgical celebrations may we be filled with joy and peace.
Amen
By Fr Pat O'Shea - Lower Hutt
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