On Christmas Eve in 1818
a blizzard stranded the tiny village of Ogledorf,
nestled in the Austrian mountains.
That same day the people of St. Nicholas’ church found their organ broken
so the priest and organist began composing a song that could be sung without
an organ, yet beautiful enough to express their Christmas joy. 
All day and all night long they worked
and at midnight the gentle carol Silent Night was born!
The pure clear tones echoed through the hills
and the world has been captured by the beauty of that simple song ever since.

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 dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth!

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

— Robert Louis Stevenson

warm & wooly hugs n’ blessings as we sing out: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!