It’s also one of the most loved Christmas songs of all time, and for good reason.
The radio officially started playing Christmas songs the other week, and I seriously squealed when I realized it! The song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” really nailed it on that title. Christmastime is the best season of the whole year. Forget pumpkin spice! Who needs flower buds bursting into bloom? Throw away all of my fresh peaches from right off the tree! Give me Christmas any day!
I have tons of favorite Christmas songs, including, but not limited to: “O Holy Night,” “Let it Snow,” and “White Christmas” (the Bing Crosby version, of course!). But the song that makes me tear up almost every time has always been “Silent Night.” An oldie but a goodie, this song embodies what I love most about Christmas. I heard Michael Buble’s version of it on the radio just a couple days ago. Usually I find kids singing with adults a bit too saccharine for my taste. This version, however, really felt right with the kids singing. After all, I think children have a special place in our Savior’s heart.
One of the things I love most about this particular Christmas song is that it focuses on Christ. I feel like too often Baby Jesus gets lost among the talk of Santa Claus and presents and holiday parties. I love to watch Christmas movies with my kids, and it is a rare thing indeed to hear any mention of the real reason for the season. It almost seems like the public deliberately avoids Him so as not to offend anyone with their religion. Heaven forbid we should talk about our religion at Christmastime! I saw an article title recently that claimed that listening to Christmas music on repeat stressed people out. I think those people are missing the point. A friendly suggestion if you don’t mind my soapbox; if Christmas stresses you out, just maybe you need to reexamine your priorities. If whatever you’re doing this Christmas doesn’t spark joy, then perhaps it’s time to go Marie Kondo on your holiday activities. #tidyinguptheholidays
Now I’m just getting ridiculous. Back to the point.
When I was a kid, one thing my family did almost every year was go to the D.C. Temple to see the Christmas lights. It is a beautiful sight, to see the House of the Lord, a literal home for our Savior, decorated so spectacularly in honor of His birth. Yet even with the twinkling lights all around, what still stands out far above the rest is the temple itself. When we would drive close to the grounds, the song “Silent Night” often filled my mind. Seeing the gleaming temple emerge through the trees was always a special moment for me. Crowds and noise are inevitable at an event like this, but somehow the temple always remained a serene place. “Silent Night” now carries those feelings back to my heart every year. I even love singing it to my girls as a lullaby, and I hope they’ll love this song as much as I do!
