If you are familiar with traditional CHRISTmas songs, then you’ve probably heard one of the best-known and most beloved hymns, “Silent Night, Holy Night.” The words were written by Joseph Mohr in 1816, and the music was composed by Franz Gruber on December 24, 1818. It was first performed that CHRISTmas Eve night in Oberndorf, Austria, at a worship service exactly two hundred years ago.

“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.

Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly host 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!

Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light; With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!”(Mohr)

I don’t know if the first Christmas night was a “silent night” as Mohr imagined, but I do believe it was a holy night filled with great hope! A young virgin mother who experienced a miracle in a Son’s unique birth surely would have been hopeful for more miracles in His life.

A man devoted to the young mother and devoted to the mission God had chosen for him was hopeful that with God’s help he could become an earthly father to this Child born of Holy God Himself.

Lowly shepherds heard an announcement by a heavenly host of angels and had enough hope to hurriedly leave their flocks to witness the miracle baby that was proclaimed along with peace and joy to the world and even to them personally!

I imagine that one holy night was overflowing with hope! All these first CHRISTmas participants experienced hope, because each experienced Jesus, the baby in the manger, who had stepped down from heaven to become the awaited Messiah. Before the world was created God’s plan for our salvation was set in motion, and hope was always included in His plan.

Wherever there is Jesus Christ, there is always hope! A Savior with no hope to offer the world would be sadly lacking.

Are you looking for hope? Jesus is near to be found, and He has an never-ending portion of hope for you personally.

“Suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ^‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'” (Luke 2:13, 14)