It Happened Today | Christian History Institute

1 of 2

https://www.christianhistoryinstitute.org/it-happened-today/12/11/

Sharing our story of faith across the ages

PREV

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014

NEXT

JOSEPH MOHR PENNED THE CAROL SILENT NIGHT - 1792

JOSEPH MOHR PENNED THE CAROL SILENT NIGHT

Joseph Mohr was born in Salzburg on this day, 11 December 1792. He is

remembered for his beautiful carol, Silent Night. However, during his
childhood, his name was associated with shame. Not only was he his mothers
third illegitimate child, he was godson to the towns hated executioner. This
came about because Mohrs father, a soldier named Franz Jospeh Mohr,
deserted the army and fled when he learned Ann Schoiber was pregnant by him.
Ann had to face the consequences alone.
One of the consequences she faced was a fine. She earned little from her
boarding house and knitting, so it would have taken her a years wages to pay it
off. To spruce up his reputation, the town executioner said he would pay the fine
and stand as godfather to the child. Unfortunately, this only meant more
humiliation for the boy. He was ostracized and no school would accept him, nor would any employer hire
him or teach him a trade.
However, the boy could sing. Johann Nepomuk Hiernle, a Benedictine monk and choirmaster, overheard
Mohr singing as he played games on the steps of a Capuchin monastery. Heirnle obtained Ann Schoibers
permission to train the lad. Mohr blossomed under this care. By twelve he was well on his way to
mastering the organ, guitar, and violin. He held his own among elite students, always placing near the
top of the class.
He continued his training until he was twenty-three and was ordained a priest. Because he was
illegitimate, he needed a special dispensation from the pope to enter the priesthood.
In 1816, he was stationed at the pilgrimage church in Mariapfarr, Austria. There he wrote the words to
Silent Night. The next year, church authorities sent him to Oberndorf, where he met Hans Gruber, the
organist of a neighboring church who set the words to music. The carol was first sung at a midnight mass
on Christmas Eve, 1818. Gradually it made its way into the larger world, where others modified a few
notes. Today it is the most popular Christmas carol of all time, translated into over two hundred
languages.

12/6/2014 11:19 PM

It Happened Today | Christian History Institute

2 of 2

https://www.christianhistoryinstitute.org/it-happened-today/12/11/

Silent Night expresses the wonder of the light Christ brought at his incarnation, which was announced
by angels to shepherds, and inspired wise men to follow a star and find the incarnate king. Early English
translations differ from the familiar words we sing:
Holy night! Peaceful night!
Through the darkness beams a light
Yonder, where they sweet vigils keep
Oer the babe, who, in silent sleep,
Rests in heavenly peace.
Joseph Mohr had a tender heart toward the needy and outcast. When he died at his last postin
Wagrainhe was penniless. For years he had given almost everything he earned to charities, among
which was a school he had started for poor children.
0 Comments

Athanasius Listed the New Testament as We Know it | It

Avatar
I'm not sure I would characterize his attitude towards
the "apocrypha" as it is know

What is Darwinism? | Issue 107 | Christian History

Magazine

Avatar
This is an interesting and well-argued article
which does indeed make

The Time for Prayer: The Third Great Awakening | Issue 23 |

Avatar
This is a great message and a reminder from the
past of the power of fervent

Praying Boldly | Issue 23 | Christian History Magazine

Avatar
Here's a prayer from the Word of God I pray
every single day expecting

12/6/2014 11:19 PM