[Written by Christine Cox]
Whenever I hear this Austrian Christmas carol, I see my mother leaning back in her armchair, listening to her favorite German Christmas carol record. A sweet stillness caressed over her, the sound of the music soothingly filling the room. As a child I ‘thought like a child’, (1 Corinthians 13:11-14), wondering what she was thinking and feeling, why the music was so soothing; now I know fully the spiritual depth of the music – that in this peaceful manger scene, as mother cradles the infant Jesus, she knows that He is the hope of salvation who now had been brought to mankind through The Incarnation.
Tradition, both written and pictorial, shows that in the stillness of prayer, Mary was greeted by the angel Gabriel. In the stillness of deep sleep, her earthly spouse, Joseph, was visited by an angel in a dream – twice. He should not fear to take Mary as his wife and then later warned him to take his family and flee to Egypt for Herod was about to destroy the Child. In the stillness of the night, our Savior was born. Still, yet the heavens were filled with angelic hosts, declaring the Glory of the Lord singing great Hosannas, Glory to the King!
In the stillness of the Upper Room, our Lord ushered in the New Covenant – a respite before they all would experience the greatest trial in history. After the Crucifixion, darkness and, I imagine, a still eeriness and a loneliness engulfed the whole land, until the Lord burst forth from the grave. It was a stillness preparing the way for His Resurrection. Saul – Paul had to be still before God was able to work through him. Peter, too, in the stillness of prayer saw the heavens open and the Lord calling him to minister to all peoples, showing no partiality that the Good News is for all nations!
In this Advent season, let us take this wonderful opportunity to break from the busyness of the season to embrace ‘stillness.’ Ponder upon His Word penetrating our souls, our interior life. And as we await with joyful expectation of this year’s Christmas celebrations, let it also be preparation as we await His second coming.
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
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Audio link, Traditional Melody 1819
Lyrics and Translation by Tradition by Action and German Way
| Still, still, still, Weil’s Kindlein schlafen will. Maria tut es niedersingen Ihre keusche Brust darbringen, Still, still, still, Weil Kindlein schlafen will. |
Still, still, still, Let Baby sleep its fill. Maria sings a lullaby sweet And lays her true heart at Your feet Still, still, still, Let Baby sleep its fill. |
| Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf, Mein liebes Kindlein, schlaf. Die Englein tun schön musizieren Bei dem Kindlein jubilieren, Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf, Mein liebes Kindlein, schlaf. |
Sleep, sleep, sleep, My precious Baby sleep. The Angels are all music making By the Manger jubilating Sleep, sleep, sleep, My precious Baby sleep. |
| Groß, groß, groß, die Lieb’ ist übergroß! Gott hat den Himmelsthron verlassen, und muss reisen auf der Strassen. Groß, groß, groß, die Lieb’ ist übergroß. |
Great, great, great, the love is enormous! God has left his heavenly throne and must travel on the road. Great, great, great, the love is enormous! |
| Auf, auf, auf, Ihr Adamskinder auf. Fallet Jesum all zu Füssen, Weil er für uns d’Sünd tut büssen. Auf, auf, auf, Ihr Adamskinder auf. |
Rise, rise, rise, All Adam’s children rise. O, kneel at the feet of Jesus now, Our sins to atone He did vow. Rise, rise, rise, All Adam’s children rise. |
| Wir, wir, wir, Wir rufen all zu Dir: Tu uns des Himmels Reich aufschliessen, Wenn wir einmal sterben müssen. Wir, wir, wir, Wir rufen all zu Dir. |
We, we, we, |
