In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.

Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.

The angel said, "Don't be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David's city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, "Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors."

When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us." They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.

Silent Night! Holy Night!
Words by Joseph Mohr, 1816
Music by Franz Gruber, 1818

For many people, no song epitomizes the feeling and ambience of Christmas Eve better than "Silent Night! Holy Night!" Perhaps that is why it is the best-loved carol in the world.

The lyrics to "Stille Nacht" were written in Oberndorf, Austria by Father Joseph Mohr in 1816, and the melody was composed by Austrian headmaster, Franz Xaver Gruber, in 1818. In 1859, John Freeman Young, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida, published his English translation of the carol, which became the version most often sung today.

The carol was first performed in the Nikolaus-Kirche (Church of St. Nicholas) in Oberndorf, Austria, on December 24, 1818. Mohr had composed the words two years earlier, but on Christmas Eve brought them to Gruber and asked him to compose a melody and guitar accompaniment for the church service.

Since its first use on that Christmas Eve in 1818, the carol has been translated into more than 146 languages and dialects, including several artificial languages. It is said that more than 300 versions exist (Silent Night Web currently has 227 versions online), more than 25 of those in English.

One trilingual version of "Silent Night! Holy Night!" is featured here, as part of our Christmas celebration. There are seven more translations that you can open (within this page) if you wish to see, hear, and learn more about the carol.

"Noche de Paz" (Spanish)

Noche de paz, noche de amor
Todo Duerme en derredor.
Las estrellas esplenden su luz
Porque ha nacido el niñito Jesús.
Las estrellas esplenden
Porque ha nacido Jesús.

"Stille Nacht" (German)

Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute heilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigten Haar,
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!

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.

"Silent Night" (English)

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!