The Temptations - 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
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia.
Christ the Saviour is born
Christ the Saviour 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.
Silent night, holy night,
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King.
Christ the Saviour is born,
Christ the Saviour is born.
Video
The Temptations - Silent Night (Extended Version / Visualizer)
Meaning & Inspiration
The Temptations' rendition of "Silent Night," released on November 9, 2022, offers a profound re-imagining of a timeless Christmas carol, breathing new life into its sacred narrative through the iconic vocal stylings of the legendary group. While the familiar melody is present, this version truly shines in its unwavering focus on the deeply spiritual core of the song, elevating the message of Christ's birth into a powerful declaration of faith. The group masterfully conveys the awe and wonder described in the lyrics, evoking the hushed reverence of that first Christmas night. The smooth, blended harmonies underscore the "heavenly peace" and the "holy infant so tender and mild," mirroring the peaceful stillness that settled over Bethlehem. The verses detailing the shepherds' reaction, their "quake at the sight" and the "glories stream from heaven afar," are delivered with a gravitas that truly captures the earth-shattering significance of this divine intervention. It’s as if the very sound transports one back to witness the angelic hosts singing "Alleluia," proclaiming, "Christ the Saviour is born!" This resonates powerfully with the Gospel accounts, particularly Luke 2:8-14, where shepherds are visited by an angel and a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. Furthermore, the interpretation of Jesus as "Son of God, love's pure light" and the "dawn of redeeming grace" aligns directly with theological understandings found throughout Scripture, such as John 1:4-5, which speaks of Jesus as the light of men that shines in darkness, and 2 Corinthians 4:6, referencing God’s light shining in hearts through Christ. The Temptations’ delivery of "Alleluia to our King" is not merely a festive exclamation but a recognition of Christ's ultimate sovereignty, a truth echoed in Philippians 2:9-11, which describes Jesus being exalted and every tongue confessing Him as Lord. This version of "Silent Night" serves as a beautiful reminder of the hope and salvation brought into the world through Jesus' birth, offering listeners an opportunity to connect with the profound spiritual meaning of Christmas in a deeply moving and inspiring way.