“Silent Night” is one of my favorite Christmas songs, but lately I’ve been analyzing the words of this song. How silent could that night truly have been?
Here’s a look at Luke 2:6-18 (NKJV)
“So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
I cannot imagine the birth of a baby being silent. Even the smoothest of deliveries is going to involve some noise, and at the least, the cry of the newborn. I know we’re talking about Jesus, but I believe he cried.
Jesus was placed in a manger because the inns were booked solid. There should have been animals hovering nearby. I doubt they were completely silent.
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
I am no sheep expert, but I expect there would be occasional noise amongst a flock of sheep.
“And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
For 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 cloths, lying in a manger.”
Surely the angel didn’t whisper his message to these shepherds. And the Bible says the shepherds were greatly afraid. They must have made some noise in their fright.
“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!”
All of my previous guesses of noise being present the night Jesus was born could be challenged, but “a multitude of the heavenly host praising God” completely confirms this was no silent night.
“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”
When the angels left, the shepherd’s excitement drove them to find Jesus. After they saw him, they told everyone in sight. I highly doubt these shepherds were mild-mannered when retelling the most exciting night of their lives.
I’m not boycotting “Silent Night,” but in my opinion the song should be “Noisy Night.” It may not sound as Christmas-y; but it would be more true to life, and possibly a lot more fun.
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