Christmas Letter 2024 – by Jonathan Wellum, President & CEO
On December 25, 1818, the song “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night) was sung for the very first time. Today, this treasured Christmas carol has been translated into more than 300 languages!
Joseph Mohr, the author of Silent Night was born in Salzburg on December 11, 1792 to Anna Shoiber and Franz Mohr. Joseph was conceived out of wedlock and his father deserted his mother when he found out that she was pregnant. As a result, Anna and young Joseph suffered socially and financially. God in his grace provided a father figure and role model for Joseph through Johann Nepomuk Hiernle, the choirmaster at the church they attended. Johann immediately recognized Joseph’s exceptional musical abilities and had Joseph take music lessons. He learned how to play the organ, guitar and violin. At the age of 19 Joseph entered seminary in Salzburg and was ordained in 1815 at 23 years of age.
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