A few days before Christmas 1792, in the city of Salzburg Austria, a young unmarried seamstress named Anna gave birth to her third child. The father had disappeared from Anna’s life months before, leaving her all alone and destitute.
In those days, unwed pregnancy not only came with cultural shame, it came with a fine as well. It could be more than a year’s wages for a common laborer, so it was far more than a woman like Anna could possibly pay.
This meant the boy could not be baptized, which meant his rights as a citizen would be severely restricted.
AN INNOCENT OUTCAST
Also in those days, children born in such circumstances were often deserted and left to die, but Anna had no such intention of doing this. Instead, she planned to raise her son on her own as best she could.
There was a man in the city of Salzburg by the name of Joseph Wolhmuth. He was well-to-do, but not exactly well-liked. In fact, he was the local executioner — a hangman. Though the job paid well, it was neither an admired nor prestigious position.
But Joseph heard of Anna’s plight and maybe because he was something of an outcast himself, he agreed to pay the fine so that the boy could be baptized. He even agreed to be the registered godfather, and allowed the boy to be given his name: Joseph.
Though Joseph’s baptism prevented him from being a complete outcast throughout the community, he was still an outsider, and he was still unable to do things that “legitimate” children and young people were allowed to do, such as attend school, learn a trade, and seek employment.
For an innocent boy who had done nothing to deserve it, his was a tough life defined by rejection and condemnation. Young Joseph wasn’t allowed to participate in religious activities, so instead he would spend his lonely afternoons singing on the steps of the church. He may not have been welcome among the “decent people” who filled the pews each Sunday, but he still felt at home in the shadow of the cathedral. And so there he would go to sing.
AN ANGELIC VOICE
As it turns out, Joseph had an angelic voice. One day the local choirmaster heard him singing, and was so impressed that he decided to abandon protocol and bend the rules and invite Joseph to join his elite group of performers, which gave him the opportunity to receive an education.
Joseph proved himself to be not only a gifted vocalist and musician — he became the master of many instruments — he was also an outstanding student. The vicar of the church encouraged Joseph to pursue a career in ministry … but there remained the nagging problem of the circumstances surrounding his birth — his so-called illegitimacy. Since Joseph was born out of wedlock, he normally wouldn’t even be allowed to attend seminary.
The vicar went to bat for him and ultimately church authorities granted special permission for him to attend. Finally, in 1815, at the age of 22, Joseph Mohr graduated from seminary and was ordained as a priest.
THE GREATEST HYMN
The following year, he wrote the song for which he is known. According to Time Magazine, it is the most popular Christmas song ever. Between 1978 and 2014 it was recorded more than 730 times.
Joseph wrote the verses in German. Eventually they were translated into English. Today we sing it this way: Silent night, Holy night, All is calm, all is bright.
We’re familiar with three verses; Joseph actually wrote six. One of them describes the all-encompassing grace of God that extends even to those rejected by society and religion.
Silent Night, Holy Night
Here at last, healing light
From the heavenly kingdom sent,
Abundant grace for our intent.
Jesus, salvation for all.
Jesus, salvation for all.
When you feel disenfranchised from the rest of the world, remember the message of Advent. Here at last comes a healing light into your life: Jesus salvation for all.
© 2025/2019. Today’s memo is taken from Steve’s series Now We Sing of Christmas.
