General Superintendent
Max Edwards
September 16, 2025
“… There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” ~ Luke 2:11-14
Josef Mohr (1792 - 1848) was born to an unmarried embroiderer in Salzburg, Austria. Pastor Johann Nepomuk Hiernle, of the Salzburg Cathedral, took Josef under his wings, and gave him the chance to pursue an education and proficiency in music. Mohr loved the guitar. Even as a child, Mohr would serve both as a singer and violinist in the University Church Choir and at the Benedictine monastery church of St. Peter. For two years, Mohr studied at the Benedictine monastery of Kremsmünster in the province of Upper Austria.
Mohr authored the words to “Silent Night, Holy Night,” a traditional Christmas carol that is now sung around the world and has been translated into over 300 languages
The manuscript pictured here was discovered in 1995, and dates back to 1821 It contains six stanzas from which we sing stanzas 1, 6, and 2, in that order. The accompaniment is specifically written for guitar, and legend has it that the music was written just hours before the Midnight Mass in which it was first sung in 1818.
The lyrics we sing today have been translated and somewhat adapted. It might interest you to read the literal translation of what Mohr wrote for the first stanza:
Silent night, holy night! All are asleep; alone awake
Only the faithful and most holy pair, Gentle boy with curly hair, Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent Night
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 the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth! Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!