Silent Night

Chaos and anxiety overwhelmed me. Two funerals were going to happen on Wednesday. In the morning, a small group of immediate family and friends would gather for the Celebration of the Resurrection for Christel Mattern. Standing on the hillside of Green Mound Cemetery for the Celebration of Resurrection for Shirley Rose Skatzes Nelson, another small group would congregate in the afternoon. Never in our seventeen years of pastoral ministry of serving six churches in the mountains or even now had this ever happened.

Questions ran through my mind. How would Pastor Wendy and I pull this day off? What were all the last minute details that we needed to complete? What words of comfort would I preach? All of these are the typical questions in preparing for a Service of Remembrance. Nonetheless, the questions were magnified in the moment because I take great care with this ministry, we had two funerals and it was a first time experience.

With thoughts swirling in my head, I heard a voice of peace, singing the lyrics to a beloved Christmas hymn to his little daughter, settle everything for me.

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Christel Mattern, who had sung for years Silent Night in German at the close of Christmas Eve Worship, had written this poignant story of peace. On the Eve of Christmas growing up in Germany, she had fell ill with an ear infection. Throbbing in pain, she could not find relief. She hurt. She cried. She was in pain. It was at that point her father sat her on his lap. He held her in his arms. He started singing Christmas music into ears to sooth her. I imagine that he sang the peaceful words of Stille Nacht because it was her tradition to sing Silent Night in German at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church every year.

The Eve of Christmas may still be a few weeks of way. Chaos and anxiety may be filling you up. What else would someone expect in the year 2020? But hear the words of that beloved Christmas song echoing through the years that renewed my soul this week bring peace to you now.

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

May the story of peace in the upcoming birth of the Christ Child still your hearts in these days.

Worship with us on All Shepherds YouTube Livestream. Join us in person at 8:00AM, 9:30AM or 11:11AM. Be comforted with the promise of peace for all who have lived and died in the Lord. This voice of peace is for all to be comforted with too.

Shepherding the Shepherds,
Pastor Craig