Silent Night

Artist

Silent Night by Becca Eck, music video

New recording of Silent Night, by Becca Eck. Sung quietly, with the reverence of a lullaby, the daughter of Bible paraphraser Stephen M. Miller, sings this solo from the track of a new Christmas album, An Echo Calling. Becca is a family nurse practitioner who regularly sings on her church's worship team.

Story behind the song

AI:
"Silent Night" ("Stille Nacht" in German) is one of the most beloved Christmas carols, celebrated worldwide for its gentle melody and message of peace. The song originated in the small Austrian village of Oberndorf, near Salzburg, on Christmas Eve in 1818. Father Joseph Mohr, a young Catholic priest, wrote the lyrics as a poetic reflection on the nativity story.

Night without music

Unexpected circumstances spurred the song. The church organ at St. Nicholas Church had fallen into disrepair, leaving the Christmas Eve service without its usual musical accompaniment. Determined to create a meaningful celebration, Mohr approached Franz Xaver Gruber, a local schoolteacher and organist, to compose a melody for guitar.

They performed the carol for the first time during the midnight mass, with Mohr singing and playing guitar and Gruber providing harmonies. Its simplicity and warmth immediately resonated with the congregation.

Over time, "Silent Night" spread across Europe, largely thanks to traveling folk singers. By the late 19th century, it had been translated into multiple languages and become a symbol of peace and unity. Today, "Silent Night" continues to inspire, reminding listeners of the humble yet profound meaning of Christmas.