A Ministry of:
BIBLE REFERENCE:
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he
come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call
his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which
being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should
be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every
one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with
Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in
the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of
the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And
the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign
unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 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, good will toward men. Luke 2:1-14
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he
come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call
his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which
being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should
be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every
one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with
Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in
the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of
the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And
the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign
unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 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, good will toward men. Luke 2:1-14
Josef Mohr - Lyrics
1792-1848
1792-1848
Born: December 11, 1792, Salzburg, Austria.
Died: December, 1848, Wagrain, Austria.
Died: December, 1848, Wagrain, Austria.
Franz Xaver Gruber - Composer
1787-1863
1787-1863
Born: November 25, 1787, Unterweizberg (near Hochburg), Austria.
Died: June 7, 1863, Hallein (near Salzburg), Austria.
Buried: Hallein, Austria.
Died: June 7, 1863, Hallein (near Salzburg), Austria.
Buried: Hallein, Austria.
John Freeman Young - Translated to English
1820-1885
1820-1885
Born: October 30, 1820, Pittston, Maine.
Died: November 15, 1885, New York, New York.
Buried: Old City Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida.
Died: November 15, 1885, New York, New York.
Buried: Old City Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida.
HYMN HISTORY:
Joseph Mohr was born in the lovely city of Salzburg, Austria, in 1792. As a boy he was an active chorister in
the Cathedral of Salzburg, Austria, in 1792. Mohr was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic
Church. Following his ordination, he served various parishes in the Salzburg area. It was while serving as an
assistant priest in 1818, at the newly erected Church of St. Nicholas in Obernorf in the region of Tyrol, high in
the beautiful Alps, that Mohr wrote the text for this favorite of all Christmas carols.
Father Mohr and Franz Grüber, the village schoolmaster and church organist, had often talked about the fact
that the perfect Christmas hymn had never been written. With this goal in mind, and after he had received
word that his own church organ would not function, Father Mohr decided that he must write his own Christmas
hymn, immediately, in order to have music for the special Christmas Eve Mass and to avoid disappointing his
faithful congregation. Upon completing the text, he took his words to Franz Grüber, who exclaimed when he
saw them, “Friend Mohr, you have found it–the right song–God be praised!”
Soon Grüber completed his task of writing the right tune for the new text. His simple but beautiful music
blended perfectly with the spirit of Father Mohr’s words. The hymn was completed in time for the Christmas
Eve Mass, and Father Mohr and Franz Grüber sang their hymn to the accompaniment of Grüber’s guitar. The
hymn made a deep impact upon the parishioners, even as it has on succeeding generations. The passing of
time seems only to add to its appeal.
Neither Mohr nor Grüber intended that their hymn would be used outside of their little mountain village area.
However, it is reported that within a few days after the Christmas Eve Mass, the organ repairman, Karl
Maurachen of Zillerthal, a well-known organ builder of that area, came to the church and obtained a copy of
the new hymn. Through his influence the carol spread throughout the entire Tyrol region, where it became
popular as a Tyrolean Folk Song. Soon various performing groups such as the well-known Strasser Children’s
Quartet began using the hymn in concert throughout Austria and Germany. In 1838 it first appeared in a
German hymnal, where it was titled a hymn of unknown origin.” It was first heard in the United States in 1839
when a family of Tyrolean Singers, the Rainers, used the music during their concert tour. Soon it was
translated into English as well as into other languages. At least eight different English translations are known
today The carol is presently sung in all of the major languages of the world and is a universal favorite
wherever songs of the Christmas message are sung.
The translation by John F. Young is the version most widely used in this country. Young was born at Pittston,
Kennebec County, Maryland, on October 30, 1820. He was ordained to the Episcopal Church and served a
number of years as a bishop in the State of Florida. Throughout his church ministry he had a keen interest in
sacred music. This translation of Mohr’s German text first appeared in 1863 in Clark Hollister’s Service and
Tune Book. In addition to this translation of this text, Young is also known as the editor of two published
hymnals, Hymns and Music for the Young, 1861, and great Hymns of the Church, published posthumously by
John Henry Hopkins, 1887.
Joseph Mohr was born in the lovely city of Salzburg, Austria, in 1792. As a boy he was an active chorister in
the Cathedral of Salzburg, Austria, in 1792. Mohr was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic
Church. Following his ordination, he served various parishes in the Salzburg area. It was while serving as an
assistant priest in 1818, at the newly erected Church of St. Nicholas in Obernorf in the region of Tyrol, high in
the beautiful Alps, that Mohr wrote the text for this favorite of all Christmas carols.
Father Mohr and Franz Grüber, the village schoolmaster and church organist, had often talked about the fact
that the perfect Christmas hymn had never been written. With this goal in mind, and after he had received
word that his own church organ would not function, Father Mohr decided that he must write his own Christmas
hymn, immediately, in order to have music for the special Christmas Eve Mass and to avoid disappointing his
faithful congregation. Upon completing the text, he took his words to Franz Grüber, who exclaimed when he
saw them, “Friend Mohr, you have found it–the right song–God be praised!”
Soon Grüber completed his task of writing the right tune for the new text. His simple but beautiful music
blended perfectly with the spirit of Father Mohr’s words. The hymn was completed in time for the Christmas
Eve Mass, and Father Mohr and Franz Grüber sang their hymn to the accompaniment of Grüber’s guitar. The
hymn made a deep impact upon the parishioners, even as it has on succeeding generations. The passing of
time seems only to add to its appeal.
Neither Mohr nor Grüber intended that their hymn would be used outside of their little mountain village area.
However, it is reported that within a few days after the Christmas Eve Mass, the organ repairman, Karl
Maurachen of Zillerthal, a well-known organ builder of that area, came to the church and obtained a copy of
the new hymn. Through his influence the carol spread throughout the entire Tyrol region, where it became
popular as a Tyrolean Folk Song. Soon various performing groups such as the well-known Strasser Children’s
Quartet began using the hymn in concert throughout Austria and Germany. In 1838 it first appeared in a
German hymnal, where it was titled a hymn of unknown origin.” It was first heard in the United States in 1839
when a family of Tyrolean Singers, the Rainers, used the music during their concert tour. Soon it was
translated into English as well as into other languages. At least eight different English translations are known
today The carol is presently sung in all of the major languages of the world and is a universal favorite
wherever songs of the Christmas message are sung.
The translation by John F. Young is the version most widely used in this country. Young was born at Pittston,
Kennebec County, Maryland, on October 30, 1820. He was ordained to the Episcopal Church and served a
number of years as a bishop in the State of Florida. Throughout his church ministry he had a keen interest in
sacred music. This translation of Mohr’s German text first appeared in 1863 in Clark Hollister’s Service and
Tune Book. In addition to this translation of this text, Young is also known as the editor of two published
hymnals, Hymns and Music for the Young, 1861, and great Hymns of the Church, published posthumously by
John Henry Hopkins, 1887.
| 101 More Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck |
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.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!
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.
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.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!
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.
| No Picture Available |
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Click on the following link for our Bible Study called
"The Prophetic Overview of the Book of Daniel"
"The Prophetic Overview of the Book of Daniel"
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Order a CD containing our Bible Study Charts/Outlines
These Cd's will allow you to print as many copies of all of our Bible
Study Charts/Outlines needed for your Personal Use, Bible Study
Group or Sunday School Class
These Cd's will allow you to print as many copies of all of our Bible
Study Charts/Outlines needed for your Personal Use, Bible Study
Group or Sunday School Class
Please pray about helping us to continue to minister to the body of Christ
You can make a secure donation online by clicking on the donation button
You can make a secure donation online by clicking on the donation button
For those who have not yet written we encourage you to do so. You're email's are so uplifting to us. As a couple we
covet your prayers foremost. Also your financial support is important, as it enables us to continue to spread the Gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ and to make A Hymn and its History possible. A gift of any amount does make a difference.
covet your prayers foremost. Also your financial support is important, as it enables us to continue to spread the Gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ and to make A Hymn and its History possible. A gift of any amount does make a difference.
Children's Hymns including lyrics
Children's Songs including lyrics
Share your prayer requests with us and others:
To listen to more than 500 hymns, visit our website at:
Subscribe to receive - A Hymn and its History
 |
 |
Please Sign Our Guest Book
King James Version - Read by Alexander Scourby
| A Hymn and its History is a ministry that depends solely upon the Lord for his guidance, it is distributed free as a ministry of Bible Study Charts.com. Please help us to continue to touch lives and bring blessings to many others 24 hours a day all over the world. If you have been blessed by this Ministry please give a donation as the Lord lays it upon your heart, and share in the Blessings. By investing in the lives of others you will reap benefits that will last for all eternity. You can make a secure donation online by clicking on the button below |
If you no longer wish to receive A Hymn and its History
If you have never experienced the forgiveness of your sins through the blood of Jesus Christ, and would like to do so today,
click on this link to the God's Plan of Salvation Page and learn how you can accept Christ as your personal Lord & Savior.
click on this link to the God's Plan of Salvation Page and learn how you can accept Christ as your personal Lord & Savior.
Recommend this site to your friends
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Jesus left the splendor of heaven, to suffer the shame of the cross for my sins and yours. I am reminded of a
song whose chorus says, If that isn't love, then heaven is a myth. There's no feeling like this, if that isn't love.
John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." During this Christmas season we as Christians have the
wonderful opportunity to tell others of the Savior who was born in a stable and how by His sinless life and His
death on the cross made a way to have eternal life. Give the gift of life this year by sharing with someone
God's gift to man. We pray that this Christmas your thoughts will be drawn to a greater appreciation to the
sacrifice that Christ made at Calvary. Please visit our Christmas Hymns Page and enjoy the hymns.
Yours in Christ, Tom & Myra
Jesus left the splendor of heaven, to suffer the shame of the cross for my sins and yours. I am reminded of a
song whose chorus says, If that isn't love, then heaven is a myth. There's no feeling like this, if that isn't love.
John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." During this Christmas season we as Christians have the
wonderful opportunity to tell others of the Savior who was born in a stable and how by His sinless life and His
death on the cross made a way to have eternal life. Give the gift of life this year by sharing with someone
God's gift to man. We pray that this Christmas your thoughts will be drawn to a greater appreciation to the
sacrifice that Christ made at Calvary. Please visit our Christmas Hymns Page and enjoy the hymns.
Yours in Christ, Tom & Myra