For more than 200 years, the Christmas carol “Silent Night” has shone “love’s pure light” into the world’s darkness. 

Written in the aftermath of Europe’s Napoleonic wars, the song first struck a hopeful chord among millions of desperate, grieving, war-weary people. 

A century later, for one miraculous night on a WW I battlefield, its words and melody inspired some 100,000 German and British soldiers to join their voices in song, and to cross enemy lines with gifts and warm greetings. 

Throughout its time, and now, in our own fearful time, the song reveals that when love’s pure light dawns in darkness, it dawns with redeeming grace. 

Merry Christmas.