On a Silent Night
KATHY CHAPELL|GUEST Silent Night is my very favorite Christmas hymn. It speaks to believers AND non-believers around the world. Those who know just who that infant in the manger was hear in this simple song the provision of a Redeemer by a loving Father. And those who don’t know Him as Savior still love this tender song that is steeped in tradition and sentiment. On Radiant Beams Growing up in a tiny church in southern Illinois, I had two different impressions of the carol. The first, I must admit, was based purely on the sentiment and sweetness of watching the adults in that church sing it. The church was founded in 1881 by German immigrants, and when I was young, most of the 25 members of Woodburn Presbyterian Church were either first-or second-generation German Americans. So, when we sang this song, there were many who sang it in their heart language: “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Alles schlaft; einsam wacht….” As they sang, with all the memories of family and heritage, these dear saints would sometimes close their eyes and weep as they sang. Even as a little child, I knew that this song meant something important to them—and therefore to me...