OldTroubador's blog post - A Gift for My Friends - a Silent Night

Christmas Eve was always a special night when growing up. In the late afternoon, my sister and I would get cleaned up and put on our Sunday best clothes. Supper was served on the good china and the tradition was a meal of meatballs in a sweet tomato gravy and green beans – the colors of the season. Dessert was Cherries Jubilee, a flambé which was then ladled over vanilla ice cream. The whole meal, the two of us were giddy with excitement , for tomorrow was Christmas. But first, there was the Christmas Eve candlelight service at church, a very special time.
The church was a hundred year old Methodist church in the downtown area and drew people from miles around. When we arrived, we would seek out our friends and chat a while before taking our pews with our families. The children would impatiently wait for the service to start because they wanted to get back home, put out cookies and milk, and get into bed. Probably, this was the only night of the year when the wee ones went to bed willingly, for to not do so would delay Santa’s arrival. The service, when it began, was simple; there were no strenuous exhortations about following the Commandments and being righteous. There were no strident voices shrilly promising an eternity of hellfire and brimstone for the sinners and the damned. Merely a telling of the simple tale of a man and a woman travelling to his hometown, and the humble birth of their child.
After the Gospels were read, the final act was about to unfold. The acolytes had lit the candles in the aisles prior to the service. Now, everyone in the congregation picked up their candles and waited. The pastor lit his from the Christ candle in the Advent wreath and passed this light to the ushers. They, in turn, passed this light to the people sitting on the ends of the pews and the light was passed to the rest of the congregants. While this was happening, the lights of the church were turned off. Soon, only candlepower lit the inside of the old church and a hush fell over everyone. Even the babies stopped their fussing, as if they knew something special was going to transpire.
The choir took a note from a pitch pipe and began to sing. Immediately, the rest of the congregation took up the words and melody, but softly, for no one wanted to awaken the slumbering baby, which was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger.
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.
The first verse was sung a cappella. As the second verse began, the old pipe organ softly introduced itself. The voices swelled to echo the Hosannas from on high, to proclaim the glory of the humble birth – but not too loudly as no one wanted to frighten the shepherds, for they were sore afraid.
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born.
The rest of the verses were sung with the same reverence. As the last notes of the hymn caressed the walls of the church, the organ opened up like thunder and the people broke into “Joy to the World”. The candles were extinguished and the house lights snapped on. After the last ‘amen’ was sung, the benediction was given, and all returned home, still carrying with them the gift of a special moment in time.
The following version of the song is one I heard years ago when it was first released. To me, it carries with it the magic, the emotion of that moment in that old church, surrounded by family and friends. This is my gift to you, my friends – Silent Night.

May the hope, the joy, and the blessings of this holiday season stay with each of you, now and forever always. From my heart to yours – Merry Christmas