The Power of a Simple Song: ‘Silent Night’

"Silent Night" is my favorite Christmas carol. It's simple, haunting and makes me reflect on things.

I remember my Dad preaching at Midnight Mass and near the end of the service we all received lit candles. The lights dimmed and my Dad played his guitar as the choir and congregation sang each verse. I always teared up.

It is the only carol written for guitar. In 1815, young Austrian priest Joseph Mohr wrote the lyrics. There is no particular story about the inspiration for the song, but the music, it is said, was written by Franz Xaver Gruber for Christmas Eve 1818 at the request of Mohr. The challenge for Gruber was to write it for the guitar, as the church organ was not working.

In 1914, the song was sung by French, German and English soldiers during the Christmas Truce. This was the most poignant and human part of World War I. These soldiers stopped their fighting on their own and began sending Christmas greetings and gifts (on the battle field) to each other. At one point, moved by the words of "Silent Night", they simply started singing.

A simple song with a powerful effect. Bringing people together. Even in the middle of war. And in the wake of tragedy.

This week, it was used by Saturday Night Live to open the show, in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. It created the same effect. Everyone stopped and reflected. I dare you not to be moved.

Merry Christmas