The song that rings in the night

Nearly 200 years ago, in 1816, a young priest by the name of Joseph Mohr created the text to a Christmas carol that still is sung with reverence each year.

Mohr penned his words in the form of a poem in Mariapfarr in the Lungau region of Salzberg, Austria, where he was living at the time.

Mohr’s words sat only on paper until December 1818 when the priest wanted a song to share with his congregation on Christmas Eve.

The following is a story penned and orated by the late Ralph Childs at KMA Radio in Shenandoah.

“In a little Austrian village a priest stared out into the darkness. It was Christmastime in the year of 1818. The sun had drifted behind the frosted peaks of the mountains ringing the town of Rogendorf, where in almost despondency sat the Rev. Joseph Mohr. A serious problem tormented him.

The village priest and organist Franz Gruber of the tiny church of St. Nicholas had spent many days working out plans for a festive Christmas observance.

For the full story, see this week's News-Review. Subscribe by calling 1-800-558-1244 ext 122 or email Deb at circulation@midamericapub.com or by clicking here.