‘Silent Night! Holy Night’
Scripture Reading — Luke 2:1-20
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
“Silent Night! Holy Night” is another well-known Christmas hymn. It was written by parish priest Joseph Mohr when the organ at the small church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf, Austria, broke down. Mohr wrote this song to be accompanied by guitar on December 24, 1818.
“Silent Night” tells the story of the birth of Jesus the Messiah from Luke 2.
In the closing lines of three stanzas in this song, we hear important titles that are assigned to Jesus at his birth. He is the “Savior,” “Christ (Messiah),” and “Lord.” All of these titles are mentioned by the angel of the Lord in Luke 2:11.
Appearing to shepherds at night in a bright burst of glory, the angel announces the birth of the Savior in the nearby town of David (Bethlehem), saying, “He is the Messiah [Christ], the Lord.”
This is the greatest birth announcement ever. The baby born in Bethlehem has significance for the whole world. He is the Savior, the one who saves us from our sins. He is the Messiah, the “anointed one” promised through the prophets. And he is the Lord. God sent his Son, who is himself fully God, to become human and live among us.
“Christ the Savior is born!”
Dear Jesus, we glorify and praise your name because you, O God, came to save us, to be our Lord as God’s anointed. Thank you for coming to us, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
About the author — Brian Kuyper
Brian Kuyper is the lead pastor at a church in Taber, Alberta. He has served in two congregations in southern Alberta over the past 12 years. He is married to Brenda, and they have three school-age children.
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