Thy Strong Word — Countdown to Christmas: LSB 363 Silent Night, Holy Night

The Rev. George Ruwisch, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Nashua, NH, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study the hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night.”

Open your hymnals to page 363 and grab a candle, it’s time to study “Silent Night, Holy Night.” Whether sung in English, German, or both, this hymn has been a perennial favorite among Christians. Jesus’ birth in a stable surrounded by animals likely wasn’t as silent as this carol suggests, but it certainly was holy! In this episode, learn more about how this cherished hymn came to be and how it can help us reflect on the significance of Christ’s coming that first Christmas! Learn more: https://hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/363

Celebrate the birth of our Savior with Thy Strong Word’s Countdown to Christmas, a special series where we explore 10 of the most beloved Christmas hymns found in the Lutheran Service Book. Learn the history and meaning of these beautiful carols and how they reflect the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each weekday we dive into every stanza of these classic hymns and discover the rich theology and joy it expresses. Don’t miss this opportunity to prepare your hearts to receive Christ anew and rejoice with Thy Strong Word: Countdown to Christmas.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

Lutheran Service Book 363

1 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.

2 Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior is born!
Christ, the Savior is born!

3 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.

Text Information
First Line: Silent night, holy night!
Title: Silent Night, Holy Night
Author: Franz Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848
Translator: John F. Young, 1820-85
Meter: 66 88 66
Language: English
Publication Date: 2006
Scripture: Luke 2:7-16; Colossians 1:13

Tune Information
Name: STILLE NACHT
Composer: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1787-1863
Meter: 66 88 66
Key: B♭ Major
Source: Traditional setting

Learn more: https://hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/363

Rev. Dr. Phil Booe

Native North Carolinian Rev. Dr. Phil Booe serves pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, and host of Thy Strong Word on KFUO Radio. His parishioners probably think he can’t teach Bible study without a mug of coffee in his hand, and he’ll always be happy to eat a plate of sushi. When he’s not shepherding his flock or teaching on the radio, you might find him watching bad movies from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, and especially binging RiffTrax and MST3K episodes. Some day he’d love to travel to the Lutheran homeland in Germany, but for now he spends time in Minnesota with his wife, son, daughter, and cat, and looks forward to Holy Week every year.