Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I've been on a bit of a hiatus for the season of Advent because I figured there wasn't a whole lot of mystery as to how I was selecting music. But there is something I like to share with my friends every year - the literal translation of Silent Night. 

As you may know, Silent Night is a German Christmas carol. The version we sing in English has been modified to rhyme but it is not quite the same. Here is a rough translation of the original German lyrics (the third and fifth verses are my favorite):

1. Silent night! Holy night! All are sleeping; only the Holy Pair watches the lovely boy with curly hair sleep in heavenly peace.

2. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Angelic "Alleluias" sound it near and far: "Jesus, the Savior is here!"

3. Silent night! Holy night! God's Son, o how love laughs out of Your divine mouth! Then it hits us - now is the hour of our saving - Jesus, in your birth.

4. Silent night! Holy night! The healing of the world brought from heaven's golden height - we see the fullness of His grace: Jesus in human form!

5. Silent night! Holy night! Where today all the power of Fatherly love pours forth, and Jesus, like a brother, embraces all the people of the world!

6. Silent night! Holy night! Long we hoped to be freed from the Lord's wrath. In time, the Father promises to spare all mankind! 

Merry Christmas, everyone!