Silent Night - the Christmas song with UNESCO special status

Stepping up - the Christmas song with UNESCO special status

Imagine the scene. It’s Christmas Eve we are in Austria in the year 1818, the sun has set, and the only light is provided by the moon and flickering candles through small windows.

Wherever you look, the snow is deep and crisp; in the distance we can make out the figure of Father Mohr, the local Catholic priest, he is walking the three kilometres from his home, in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, to visit his good friend Franz Xaver Gruber, in the neighbouring town of Arnsdorf bei Laufen. Gruber is the local schoolteacher, who also serves as the church's choirmaster and organist.

The priest is on a mission. In his pocket, Fr. Mohr has a poem; words he wrote some two years earlier. He needs a carol for the Midnight Mass that is only a few hours away. His earnest hope is that his great friend will set the words to music.

A beautiful and minimalist melody married to a profound and simple lyric, and it works.  

Gruber fulfils every hope and the tune is composed in just a few hours. The carol is Stille Nacht; known, in the English-speaking world, as Silent Night.

The first performance at Midnight Mass is a simple arrangement for guitar and choir. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. Many popular songs have their own genesis story, an apparent act of chance or destiny that launches a hit. And Silent Night has been a hit, on a massive scale.

Silent NightThe song is a must have on a Christmas album. This week’s number 1, by Boe and Ball has it, the German classical tenor Jonas Kauffman includes it on his festive offering; both excellent covers by the way. The point I am trying to make is that the song has come to define Christmas. A beautiful and minimalist melody married to a profound and simple lyric, and it works. On every level it works. So significant is it as a work of art, UNESCO has given it special status. Which puts it up there with the pyramids and Stonehenge. This is more than a song; it is a cultural phenomenon.

Bing Crosby’s first recording of Silent Night is still the 4th best selling single of all time. Whether your favourite rendition is from Bing, Sinead O’Connor, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf or your child’s school choir you will know this song. Personally, I think that Simon and Garfunkel’s 1966 version has a poignancy that Josephus Mohr might have approved of.

As for Mohr, the man born to an unmarried girl in difficult circumstances, dedicated his life to following Christ. He never monetised his work and gave what little he did have to the poor, whom he served tirelessly. He viewed Jesus in the same way as we are urged to look on puppies. He’s not just for Christmas; He’s for life.

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: 
1647. A year when Christmas was banned, lemons were sucked, and Father Christmas was born
Five ways to make your car ready for winter

 

Published: 25 November 2024
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2024

Jobs currently available

New job
Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913735
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with an expanding manufacturing company on the outskirts of Sudbury to recruit a dedicated and reliable Warehouse Operative on a permanent basis.

The key purpose of this role is to support the business with the movement of raw materials and finished products as required.

In order to be considered for this role, you must possess a valid counterbalance forklift licence.

Key duties include:

  • Carrying out warehousing tasks, including order picking, storage allocation and record keeping.
  • Carrying out dispatch duties, including consolidating finished goods for daily loads.
  • Taking responsibility for ensuring goods are checked in and out using the stock management system.
  • Replenishing stock throughout the day and assisting with stock checks.

Role requirements include:

  • Counterbalance forklift driving licence and experience in driving forklift trucks.
  • The ability to follow written instructions, quality and safety standards.
  • The ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels and the confidence to escalate any issues to ensure quality and safety.
  • Computer literate - able to input data into the systems and maintain accurate records.
  • Conscientious with strong attention to detail.

This role operates on a three-week rotating shift pattern, Monday to Friday:

  • Weeks 1 & 2: 8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Week 3: 4:30pm – 1:30am

This role offers a competitive basic salary, shift allowance, and benefits package — an excellent opportunity to join a growing business.

Free parking is available on-site, and due to the company’s location, you must have access to your own transport.

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Design Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB17
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Design Engineer to join a manufacturer based in Sudbury, Suffolk.

Due to expansion and an increased order book, an experienced Design Engineer is required to join the design team. The Design Engineer will work with other Design Engineers, Project Managers, and other internal company personnel to create final design solutions working to detailed project and technical specifications and sales layout drawings, in line with the project and production plan. They shall also provide design and technical support to the sales team for the production of functional design specifications for inclusion within sales documentation and presentations.
Previous project management experience would be advantageous as the role will sometimes require taking projects from initial concept, through design and manufacturing, and project managing the installation. This will involve liaising with external suppliers, sub-contractors and customers where required.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Mechanical engineering design using AutoCAD, Inventor, and Vault, working to project and technical specifications.
  • Provide design calculations for frame structures, airflow, and energy requirements.
  • Produce designs to the conforming standards and certification requirements.
  • Preparation of production drawings for parts, fabrications, and assemblies.
  • Creation of bills of materials.
  • Carry out drawing modifications as and when required to existing drawings using revision control, change processes and procedures.
  • Liaise with purchasing and manufacturing departments for the distribution of information and assist with technical queries.
  • Participate in project design reviews and provide technical solutions to design problems.

Experience/skills requirements include:

  • A skilled and experienced Mechanical Design Engineer using AutoCAD & Inventor/Vault/Solidworks.
  • Experienced in understanding 2D sales layout approval drawings.
  • Experience with working to standards and certifications.
  • Experience with manufacturing techniques, including sheet metal fabrication and welding.
  • Experience in M&E design for manufacturing.
  • Knowledge of building services and construction management is desirable.
  • HNC Mechanical Engineering qualified or equivalent qualification minimum.
  • Minimum 3 years of previous experience in a similar design role with transferable skills.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Customer Services Executive
Sector: Customer Service
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Sudbury, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB14
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Customer Services Executive for a manufacturer based in Sudbury, Suffolk.

As a Customer Services Executive, you will play a key role within the sales and marketing team — delivering exceptional service to both new and existing customers while managing ongoing accounts.

You will answer customer questions, solve problems, and provide information about the company’s products and services — all while building strong relationships and ensuring long-term customer satisfaction.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Assess incoming enquiries from direct communication or the sales team
  • Create quotations and tender documentation
  • Follow up on quotations at appropriate points in the process
  • Manage the CRM system
  • Manage the lead generation tools
  • Processing incoming sales orders
  • Liaise with the order fulfilment team for the smooth supply of products to customers
  • Manage any after-sales requirements
  • Help project manage key projects and clients

Role requirements include:

  • Must possess excellent communication skills, both oral and written
  • Previous experience in a similar role is preferable
  • Experience within the engineering/manufacturing sector is preferred
  • Good knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic database skills
  • Must be able to understand business calculations and be competent to correspond via email in a professional manner
  • Must be an excellent face-to-face communicator
  • Telephone communication skills are of a high standard
  • One of the keys to success is to develop professional relationships with decision makers, and so the ability to ‘connect’ with people and build networks should come naturally
  • You will be based at the Sudbury office, with occasional requirements for site and customer visits

Skills and qualifications to include:

  • A highly capable person with strong planning and scheduling skills
  • Self–driven, results-oriented, and with a positive outlook and a clear focus on high-quality standards
  • An independent person with good organisation and planning skills, who is capable of objectively assessing and improving their own and the department’s performance
  • Must be reliable, tolerant, and be able to work under pressure. The ability to be professional at all times and represent the company in a professional manner is a prerequisite
  • Tenacity and the ability to see things through to the end goal are desired traits
  • Must be able to work alone as well as work within a team
  • When required, able to work extra hours to accommodate the business needs, which may include occasional travel


Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more