Matthew West - Silent Night Lyrics
Lyrics
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
Silent night
Holy night
Shepherds quake
At the sight
Glory streams from Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing, hallelujah
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night
Holy night
Son of God
Love's pure light
Radiant beams
From thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Video
Matthew West - Silent Night (Audio) ft. Leanna Crawford
Meaning & Inspiration
Matthew West's rendition of "Silent Night," released in 2016 as part of the album *Unto Us: A Christmas Collection*, offers a profoundly spiritual and accessible interpretation of a beloved carol, focusing intently on the timeless message of Christ's birth. West doesn't merely revisit an old hymn; he invites us into the stillness and awe of that first Christmas night, allowing the deep theological truths to resonate with fresh clarity. The song centers on the serene yet miraculous moment when God entered the world not with a thunderous declaration, but in the quiet humility of a manger. This stillness, this “all is calm, all is bright,” is the perfect backdrop for the immense truth being revealed: the Son of God, the very "Love's pure light," has come. The lyrics paint a picture of utter peace, “sleep in heavenly peace,” a peace that transcends earthly circumstances, mirroring the prophetic announcement to the shepherds, who were likely ordinary individuals, not accustomed to divine visitations, yet were met with overwhelming glory and the angelic chorus declaring, "Glory to God in the highest!" (Luke 2:14). West’s arrangement, while honoring the traditional melody, prioritizes the lyrical content, allowing the profound significance of the event to take center stage. The shepherd’s awe at the sight of the heavenly hosts is not just a dramatic narrative point; it underscores the magnitude of what had transpired – the Incarnation, the moment the world had longed for, as foretold by Isaiah centuries earlier: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). The song beautifully articulates this through "Christ the Savior is born," a simple yet powerful proclamation that encapsulates the entire Gospel. Furthermore, the emphasis on the "radiant beams from thy holy face" and the "dawn of redeeming grace" points directly to Jesus as the promised Messiah, the light that dispels the darkness of sin and offers reconciliation with God. This is the same light spoken of by John in his Gospel: "The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world" (John 1:9). West's interpretation is a gentle yet firm reminder that at the heart of this Christmas carol lies not just a sweet story, but the foundational truth of our faith – the birth of Jesus, our Lord, who brings salvation and a peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27). The repetition of "Jesus, Lord at thy birth" serves as a powerful affirmation, a personal declaration of faith that connects the historical event to our present reality, transforming a familiar song into a profound act of worship and contemplation.