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
Digital Marketing Executive
Sector: Marketing, Advertising and PR
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC17
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for a skilled Digital Marketing Executive to join an exciting company based in Ipswich.

You will be responsible for driving business growth and boosting brand visibility through digital channels.  The role involves developing digital strategies, managing SEO, SEM, email campaigns, and social media—particularly within a B2B context. Creativity and a strong grasp of digital tools are essential.

After successfully completing the probationary period, hybrid working is available — with a minimum of 3 days in the office and up to 2 days working from home each week. Hours are 9am to 5pm.

Duties include:

  • Working with the Marketing Manager to execute the marketing strategy.
  • Drive the development, evolution and progression of websites.
  • Facilitate content population and migration, defining content, meta descriptions and relevant back-end tags as appropriate, manually transferring content and assets as required.
  • Review webpages for accuracy of copy, internal links and downloads.
  • Support the image library collation and upload process, including video content.
  • Integrate SEO into content plans, create and optimise engaging content for the website and social media.
  • Create new web pages to meet the needs of the business and the marketing plan, conducting analysis through tracking tools and reporting.

Vital professional expertise required:

  • A minimum of three years' experience in a digital marketing role.
  • Website Content Management Systems.
  • Website reporting and analytics tools (e.g. GA4).
  • A/B testing and other forms of optimisation.
  • Social media platforms and scheduling tools (e.g. Hootsuite).
  • PPC & Email marketing.
  • Prepare reports on marketing and ROI metrics.
  • Working within B2B industry.

 

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

 

Read more
New job
Office Support Co-ordinator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Salary: £25,250 per annum
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB05
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with an established manufacturer, based in Tiverton, Devon, to recruit an Office Support Coordinator.

Hours: 35 hours per week. Monday to Friday, 8.30am/9.00am to 4.30pm/5.00pm.

This is a key role providing front-of-house and administrative support across the business. Responsibilities include managing the switchboard and visitors, coordinating meetings, preparing documents, and maintaining records. The position also supports the HR & Payroll Manager with drafting and formatting documents, ensuring well-organised administration. While it does not involve direct project leadership, it requires a proactive and efficient approach to daily operations.

Duties will include:

  • General administrative support to the wider business, including document creation and record maintenance
  • Support to the HR & Payroll Manager, particularly in drafting and formatting documents
  • Arranging travel – overseas and in the UK, and monitoring the effectiveness of service provisions
  • Carrying out annual tasks, such as driver licence checks for company vehicle drivers, updating and maintaining systems and databases to ensure up-to-date, accurate information
  • Phone cover and switchboard support
  • Visitor management, including sign-in and hospitality coordination
  • Meeting support, including room bookings, refreshments, and logistics
  • Support with the coordination of compliance training and logging of events and certificates
  • Utilising and creating content for our learning management platform – becoming an admin user proficient in creating and analysing reports for compliance
  • Responding to internal support requests and processing outcomes, such as placing orders for personal protective equipment and consumables, maintaining internal records and procedures
  • Assisting with documenting workflow processes to formalise our wider team procedures and ensure continual review to ensure up-to-date practices are in place
  • Administration support of the starter/leavers process, including updating our business systems

Required key skills include:

  • Exceptional communication and customer service skills to include: interpersonal, verbal and written
  • High attention to detail and accuracy
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.)
  • The ability to communicate professionally at all levels
  • Interested in developing automation tools to improve efficiency
  • Comfortable investigating issues and following through to resolution
  • Discreet, professional, and collaborative in a multi-functional team environmentExcellent written English skills, with the ability to produce clear, professional documents.
  • Familiar with the organisation of events, overseas travel or similar
  • Previous experience in an office support role for a large multi-functional organisation
  • Adaptable, self-motivated, team worker with a can-do attitude who can demonstrate initiative

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Workshop Fitter
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Location: Clacton-on-Sea
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC16
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business, based near Clacton-on-Sea, to recruit a Workshop Fitter to join their long-standing team.

Duties include:

  • Precise fitting of mechanical and potentially electrical components according to technical drawings and specifications.
  • Operating and utilising a variety of engineering tools and equipment with expertise and safety.
  • Contributing to the overall build process from sub-assembly to final machine completion.
  • Working collaboratively with the experienced team to ensure top-quality output.

Key skills required:

  • Proven experience in a manufacturing or engineering workshop environment is essential.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of engineering tools and equipment, and a track record of using them effectively.
  • Skilled in fitting parts together and building complex machinery with accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and take pride in your work.

Please note that, due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.

 

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

 

Read more