Franz Gruber, a church organist in Austria, composed the music for the hymn “Silent Night.” On Christmas Eve of 1818, Gruber was called upon to draft an accompaniment for the text written two years earlier. In haste, Gruber wrote music that has stood the test of time. His calm, sweet melody matched the gentle text about the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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 Savior is born!
Christ the Savior 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.