Silent Night is obviously meant to be sung at night. Granted, some will sing it at other times when looking for carols that we can sing together. Everyone knows Silent Night. But it doesn’t resonate as well in the morning, does it?
This simple, quiet carol begins with a sweet picture of the Holy Family. Mary (some German versions include Joseph with her) looks lovingly while Jesus sleeps peacefully. The silence is broken as angels appear to shepherds to announce the birth of the Savior. The third stanza puts all the attention on Jesus, the “Son of God, love’s pure light.” This echoes the Nicene Creed’s confession that Christ is “God of God, Light of Light."
The author paints the scene with great poetic license. The glory of the Lord beams from the face of the newborn Jesus. He who is the light of the world is pictured as the source of light. His glory shines forth in testimony of his divine identity.
And now it is Christmas morning. A new day. A new dawn. So we sing and confess that the light that shines is the grace of salvation which is ours in Jesus Christ.
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you (Isaiah 60:1-3).
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
Merry Christmas. All is bright.