He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side; if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion.

— John Stuart Mill

Christmas Carols in Prose #4: Silent Night

Michael Sittow's version of Hugo van der Goes' original "Nativity at Night"
Sittow’s “Nativity at Night”

The night is silent. The night is holy. Everything is calm and bright around that virgin mother and her child. Sleep in heavenly peace, holy infant—so tender and mild.

The night is silent. The night is holy. Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from far off in heaven. Heavenly hosts sing, “Hallelujah!” Christ, the Savior, is born!

The night is silent. The night is holy. Son of God, with redeeming grace’s dawn, the pure, radiant light of love beams from your holy face. At your birth, Lord Jesus!

[Original Text: Joseph Mohr, translated by John F. Young]


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