This Christmas season, we will explore the history and theology behind some of our most beloved Christmas carols. Today, we explore "Silent Night," a carol that has touched hearts worldwide.
In the fall of 1816, in the little town of Mariapfarr, Austria, a young Pastor named Joseph Mohr was serving a poverty-stricken, hungry, and traumatized congregation. The Napoleonic Wars had just ended after twelve years, and they had destroyed the country’s political and social infrastructure.
Also, the eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Tambora in 1815 caused widespread climate change throughout Europe. Volcanic ash in the atmosphere caused almost continuous storms – even snow – in the middle of summer. Crops failed, and there was widespread famine. This was the backdrop of Pastor Mohr’s poem “Stille Nacht.”
But after finishing the poem, he set it aside for over two years, until 1818, when he was pastoring St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria. The recent flooding of the nearby Salzach River had put the church organ out of commission, and Pastor Mohr desperately needed a Christmas Carol to sing for the Christmas Eve midnight mass that was only a few hours away.
So Joseph took his poem from a few years ago and walked to his friend Franz Gruber, who served as the church’s choirmaster and organist, to set it to music. Since the organ was broken, Gruber composed the music for guitar accompaniment. On Christmas Eve, 1818, the two friends sang “Silent Night” for the first time in front of Mohr’s congregation, with Mohr playing his guitar.
The song was well-received by Mohr’s church, most of whom worked as boat builders and shippers in the salt trade, which was central to the region's economy. The melody and harmonization of “Silent Night” are based on an Italian musical style called the “siciliana,” which mimics the sound of water and rolling waves: two large rhythmic beats split into three parts each. In this way, Gruber’s music reflected the daily soundscape of Mohr’s congregation, who lived and worked along the Salzach River.
Silent Night has been translated into over 140 different languages and has become a beloved Christmas carol sung this time every year. But let’s look a little closer at the words of the song.
The lyrics of "Silent Night" paint a serene picture of Jesus' birth. However, the reality was far from calm. The birth of Christ set off a series of spiritual battles. This Silent Night started a Holy War.
Revelation 12 provides a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance of Jesus' birth. The passage describes a woman (Israel), a dragon (Satan), and a male child (Jesus). This vision reveals the ongoing battle between Satan and God's plan for salvation, a battle that began before creation and continues today.
And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. ~ Revelation 12:1
This great sign is the first of seven signs John tells us about in the book of Revelation. Since this is a sign, we know there is no literal woman on Earth wrapped up in the sun. This woman is connected to Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9-11.
In this sign, we see twelve stars because Joseph is counted among the nation of Israel, whom this woman represents. We see Israel represented as a woman in several Old Testament passages. (Isaiah 54:1-6, Jeremiah 3:20, Ezekiel 16:8-14, Hosea 2:19-20)
Verse 2 says: “She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.” We find out in verse 5 that this child is Jesus. It says: “She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne.” But verse 2 says she was crying out in pain. That pain describes the hardship that Israel faced at the time of Jesus’ birth under the occupation and oppression of Rome. Verse 3 continues:
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.
Again, John says this is a sign that represents Satan. There was not a literal great red dragon. But this description represents Satan’s nature and character. It gives us the picture of a fierce, murderous evil. This dragon was very powerful, as indicated by the seven heads and ten horns. The seven diadems, which are crowns, tell us that this beast claims royal authority. He wants to be considered a king, which is in opposition to the true King. This description is similar to the one in Revelation 13:1 and Daniel 7:7-8. Verse 4 says:
His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.
The third of the stars represents one-third of the angelic hosts that rebelled with Satan around the time of the creation of the world. It’s connected to Isaiah 14:12-15 where we see a parallel between Satan and the earthly king of Babylon. Revelation 12:9 shows us not only that this dragon is Satan but that the angels he deceived were cast out with him. “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
Verses 4 & 9 indicate a dual-fulfillment here, telling us what happened when Satan was removed from his position in heaven and thrown to the earth, as well as a future fulfillment where Satan will be thrown out for good. We will talk more about this in a moment. Verse 4 says, “And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.”
This speaks of Satan’s constant attempt to destroy God’s plan of salvation for us. We see it in Genesis 6, and we see it in the Christmas story with Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus as a child. Matthew 2:16-18 tells us:
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men…
We see it again in Jesus’ ministry in John 8:58-59 and Mark 4:35-41 to name a few. Scripture tells us that this is Satan’s nature. He came “only to steal and kill and destroy.” (John 10:10) Continuing in Revelation 12:5 it says: She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne.
This verse is clearly about Jesus, but the cool thing about it is how it bookends Jesus' ministry. Starting with His birth and referencing His triumphant return by saying He will “rule all the nations with a rod of iron” (Psalm 2:9, Revelation 19:15), John speaks of Jesus’ entire earthly work by referencing the starting and ending points. Continuing in verse 6, John switches gears and talks about the coming tribulation at the end of time.
and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.
Like today, God’s people will face persecution from the dragon, who is Satan, but God promises us now and into the future that He will protect us. This future persecution refers to the seven years prophesied in Daniel 9. Revelation 12:7-8 talks about this holy war that started at the beginning of time, intensified at the birth of Christ, and continues today until the final battle at the end of time.
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. ~ Revelation 12:7-8
John talks about the war in heaven that happens in the middle of the great tribulation, during which Satan loses access to heaven forever. This battle is fought by equals. The dragon, Satan, is fighting with his army of demons against Michael and his army of angels. You have to understand that Satan is not God’s equal; God has no counterpart. Satan is beneath God; he is Michael’s counterpart. We see other battles between Michael and Satan in Jude 9.
While this battle is in the future, there is a battle happening right now for your soul. It’s a spiritual battle fought on the battleground of truth and deception, fear and faith. But Colossians 2:15 says that at the cross, Jesus:
…disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Jesus has the victory, but Satan persists. And Job 1:6-12 tells us that right now, Satan does have access to heaven, where he accuses God’s people before God’s throne until he is expelled for good in this future battle. Satan is on the earth and “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). His goal is to destroy the work of God in our lives. But we can find comfort in verse 9 of Revelation 12:
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
The Four Falls of Satan
The Bible describes four falls of Satan:
1. From glorified to worldly (Ezekiel 28:14-16)
2. From access to heaven to restriction to earth (Revelation 12:9)
3. From earth to bondage in the bottomless pit (Revelation 20)
4. From the pit to the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20)
While "Silent Night" evokes images of a peaceful nativity, its deeper message is about the peace Jesus brings. Ephesians 2:17 tells us that Jesus came to preach peace to those far and near, restoring our relationship with God.
Jesus offers rest to the weary and burdened. Matthew 11:28-30 invites us to find rest in Him, a rest that transcends the chaos of our lives and the holiday season.
Something To Think About
This Christmas, reflect on the true meaning of "Silent Night." Consider the extraordinary gift of Jesus, who came to bring peace and rest to our souls. Amidst the hustle and bustle, take time to rest in Him.
Questions For Self-Reflection
1. How can you intentionally seek peace in your life this Christmas season?
2. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the carols you sing?
3. How can you share the message of Christ's peace with others?
"Silent Night" is more than a beautiful carol; it's a reminder of the peace and rest Jesus offers. As we celebrate His birth, let us embrace the extraordinary gift of salvation and find true rest in Him. Watch the full message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhAG5mtamyM&t=3s
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