Silent Night, Holy Night
Why the hymn stirs me, a few book updates, and the meaning of conservatism
I have been singing “Silent Night” most of my life. I remember turning to the pages in the old red hymnal on Christmas Eve. My childhood church held a Christmas Eve service at 11 pm. I always looked forward to that service as a kid. We’d bring some gifts for our church friends and distribute them. We’d do one final check in the church Christmas card file (arranged by last name). We’d heard a Christmas message. And then we’d light our candles, turn out the lights, and sing Silent Night.
When I became a pastor, I looked forward to Christmas Eve. It was one of my favorite times of the year with our church family. Again, we’d light the candles and stand on the perimeter of our little auditorium, then sing Silent Night. One year, Angela was giving birth to our third child, Emma. A few hours after the delivery, I dashed back from the hospital, through a snowstorm, in time to preach the service, and then dashed back to my wife’s side. I don’t recommend that young pastors try to be as heroic! Find an elder to preach. Another time, while an associate pastor in Tennessee, the paper guard on my candle caught fire, and I had to dash to the bathroom to put it out.
The song is so rich with meaning for me. I’ve sung it as a little child, clasping my mother’s hand. I’ve sung it by my mother’s bedside as she was passing. I’ve sung it as an adult, clasping the hands of my own children. I’ve sung it in Times Square. I’ve sung it in Ukraine with Christians in a time of war. I’ve sung it, after climbing down rickety stairs to a grotto underneath the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, standing on the very place where many think Jesus was born.
Now, when I hear the lyrics, it’s hard to hold it in. Such a beautiful song about the most beautiful night in human history, when the God of the universe left heaven, took on human flesh, and dwelt among us in the most vulnerable way.
A few updates.
The January print edition of World featured a reflection I wrote on the four books that shaped my view of patriotism. It was hard to distill it down to four. I could have added about ten more. But I like the ones I chose: Colson, Smith, Tocqueville, Lewis. Here’s a snippet:
For American Christians, patriotism, born out of gratitude, openhanded in generosity, enlarged in spirit, is both right and proper. Let us, then, pray to God, that in our day we may do the work of renewal, in the face of many challenges, and leave a nation as special for our children as it was for us.
I had a long conversation with my friend Warren Cole Smith about this book. He asked great questions. You can listen here:
Nathan Finn, who is a senior fellow at The Land Center, hosted a roundtable on my book, In Defense of Christian Patriotism:
Speaking of John Wilsey: here he is a guest on my podcast, talking about conservatism and how to think about American history.
And last, but not least, I want to remind you about my Christmas resources:
Jesus and the Characters of Christmas (children’s board book)
This is my last newsletter before the new year. I pray all of you have a wonderful Christmas season, reflecting on the birth of our Savior. We will see you in 2026.