King of Kings Lutheran Church pastor reflects on 200th anniversary of ‘Silent Night’

WASILLA — This year marks the 200^th anniversary of the “Silent Night,” one of the most popular Christmas carols ever produced. This song is especially popular within the Christian community since most churches sing together with lit candles on their respective Christmas Eve services.

“It’s become a cultural icon,” King of Kings Lutheran Church pastor Robbin Robbert said.

Robbert said that if one stuck a microphone in front of someone and asked them what Christmas carol they remember off the top of their head, songs like “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” might steal the top answer but if the question was narrowed down to memories in the church, then “Silent Night” would likely reign as the king of the carols.

“I think Silent Night would be the far majority,” Robbert said.

Robbert said that when a fellow Lutheran pastor in the lower 48 shared a post on Facebook about this year being the 200^th anniversary of “Silent Night,” he did some research on the song’s history:

"Silent Night" or in German "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" was composed in 1818 in Austria by a school teacher by the name of Franz Xaver Gruber. Gruber composed the iconic tune from lyrics written two years earlier by a young priest named Joseph Mohr.

Within a few years, singing families carried the tune across Austria into Europe. It quickly spread around the world. The English version of the song was written by an Episcopal priest John Freeman Young. The English version contains just three verses while the German version has six. The English version contains verses one, two and six form the original version by Mohr and Gruber.

Today, “Silent Night” is performed in over 300 languages and dialects.

“It’s certainly a unifier,” Robbert said.

Robbert marveled at the idea of people around the world singing the same song on the same day.

“Even like the ‘Lord’s Prayer,’ these things pass down. For many people I think it feeds nostalgia,” Robbert said.

Robbert said that this year, he hopes this song not only feeds people’s nostalgia but strengthens their relationship with Jesus Christ.

“It’s all about what God has done for us. It’s God’s love letter to us… Here’s your savior Christ. Christ the savior is born,” Robbert said.

On Monday, Dec. 24 Robbert will lead a Christmas Eve service that starts at 7 p.m. He said that the congregation will sing the “Silent Night” in German and English.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com