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To: r9etb
I think there's another side to it.

"Silent Night" was originally written in German ("Stille Nacht") by an Austrian in the 19th century. As such, it probably symbolizes -- better than any other Christmas carol -- the heavy Germanic/Anglo-Saxon influence in our Western Christmas traditions (Christmas trees and candles, for example).

58 posted on 12/23/2008 8:07:34 AM PST by Alberta's Child (I'm out on the outskirts of nowhere . . . with ghosts on my trail, chasing me there.)
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To: Alberta's Child
You really think people are struck by the "Germanic" aspects of it?

Granted, there probably are some who think that way ... but mostly, it's just a simple, beautiful, and affecting piece of music that places Christianity in a light that goes directly counter to what runners-away want it to be:

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 Hallelujah
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

It's an insidious little song, because it's about love and peace, not judgment.

64 posted on 12/23/2008 8:14:30 AM PST by r9etb
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