Vashawn Mitchell - Silent Night Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
Silent night, holy night
All is calm and all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant, so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Verse 2
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing halleluia
Christ the Saviour is born
Christ the Saviour is born
Chorus 1
Christ the Saviour, Christ the Saviour is born
Peace and hope have come, through Jesus Christ the Son
Christ the Saviour, Christ the Saviour is born
Peace and hope have come, through Jesus Christ the Son
Verse 3
Silent night, holy night
God's great love giving life
Let the world together rejoice
Sing forever with one voice
Heaven's hope is here
Heaven's hope is here
Chorus 2
Christ the Saviour, Christ the Saviour is born
Peace and hope have come, through Jesus Christ the Son
Christ the Saviour, Christ the Saviour is born
Peace and hope have come, through Jesus Christ the Son
Tag
Christ the Saviour is born
He's born
Video
Silent Night
Meaning & Inspiration
Vashawn Mitchell's rendition of "Silent Night," released on November 28, 2019, offers a compelling reinterpretation of a beloved Christmas classic. This release stands as more than just another holiday song; it’s a profound spiritual declaration, infused with the vibrant energy and theological depth characteristic of contemporary Gospel music. Mitchell masterfully takes the familiar narrative of Christ’s birth and expands its scope, inviting a deeper reflection on its eternal implications for believers today.
The original "Silent Night," composed by Franz Xaver Gruber and penned by Joseph Mohr, has for centuries painted a serene, almost ethereal picture of the Nativity, emphasizing the quiet reverence surrounding the birth of the Savior. Mitchell’s version honors this foundational calm while strategically weaving in new lyrical threads that amplify its redemptive power. His artistic choice wasn’t merely to perform the carol but to interpret it through a lens that spotlights the active, life-changing presence of Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, born to deliver humanity from sin and despair. This fresh perspective transforms a contemplative piece into a celebratory anthem of divine intervention.
The initial verses, echoing the beloved original, immediately establish the sanctity and wonder of that first Christmas night. Phrases like "Silent night, holy night, all is calm and all is bright" set a scene of tranquil holiness, mirroring the biblical account of the humble, yet miraculous, birth in Bethlehem (Luke 2:7). The imagery of the "virgin, mother and child" and the "holy infant, so tender and mild" tenderly portrays Mary and Jesus, reminding us of the human form God took, dwelling among us as Emmanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). The call to "sleep in heavenly peace" isn't just a lullaby; it encapsulates the profound peace offered through Christ's arrival, a peace that transcends earthly understanding (Philippians 4:7). The subsequent verse vividly recalls the shepherds' awe-struck encounter with the divine, as "glories stream from heaven afar" and "heavenly hosts sing hallelujah" (Luke 2:9-14). This moment of divine revelation underscores the cosmic significance of the event, confirming the prophetic pronouncement that "Christ the Saviour is born."
It is in the new chorus that Mitchell truly expands the carol’s theological resonance, moving beyond description to declaration. The repeated affirmation, "Christ the Saviour, Christ the Saviour is born," serves as a powerful anchor, directly addressing Jesus’ primary purpose. Scripture identifies Jesus as the one who "will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21), and His birth is the dawn of this salvation. The profound follow-up, "Peace and hope have come, through Jesus Christ the Son," directly connects His advent to these essential spiritual gifts. Indeed, Christ himself is our peace, having broken down the wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14). His coming brought a living hope, an unwavering assurance for those who believe (1 Peter 1:3), a hope that anchors the soul (Hebrews 6:19). This chorus transforms the reflective peace of the traditional verses into an active, celebrated reality, emphasizing that these blessings flow *through* Christ the Son.
The third verse, a departure from the traditional text, further magnifies God's love and the universal call to rejoice. The line "God's great love giving life" brilliantly encapsulates the essence of the Gospel, recalling how God "so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). This love is not static; it is life-giving, transformative. The exhortation, "Let the world together rejoice, sing forever with one voice," broadens the Christmas story from a singular historical event to a perpetual, global celebration of God's redemptive plan. The declaration "Heaven's hope is here" echoes the profound truth that in Christ, the promised hope of glory has arrived (Colossians 1:27). The concluding Tag, a simple yet emphatic "Christ the Saviour is born, He's born," acts as a final, joyous affirmation, sealing the song with an undeniable statement of faith and triumph.
Vashawn Mitchell's "Silent Night" is more than just a musical offering for the holidays; it's a vibrant sermon in song, beautifully bridging the reverence of antiquity with the dynamic praise of today. It compels us to not merely remember the Christmas story but to actively embrace its ongoing truth: that in Christ, the Saviour, peace and hope are not distant ideals but present realities. This rendition inspires all who hear it to look past the superficialities of the season and fix their gaze upon the profound gift of God's love, urging a collective, joyous response to the birth of the Messiah. It serves as a powerful reminder that the silent night heralded a dawn of eternal significance, bringing light and life to a world yearning for salvation.