The chapel in Oberndorf, Germany
December 1969 Issue
The chapel in Oberndorf, Germany
Although Father Joseph Mohr wrote the poem in 1816, it wasn’t until Dec. 24, 1818, when he asked schoolteacher Franz Gruber to come up with a tune in time for Midnight Mass, that “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”) became a song. That night, parishioners in the chapel in Oberndorf, Germany — the subject of October’s photo — were the first to hear what has become the world’s most popular Christmas carol. Father Mohr provided the accompaniment on his guitar. Today, a special passenger train makes the trip every Dec. 24th from Salzburg, Vienna, where Joseph Mohr was born, to Oberndorf, in honor of “Silent Night.”
Twenty-two readers sent in correct answers. CLAIRE TROOP of Wernerville, Pennsylvania, won the drawing. We wish that all may be calm and all may be bright for her as well as for Pat and John Scheleur of Arnold, Maryland (members of the ITN Annapolis Area Travel Club), who sent in the photo. To all our readers, Merry Christmas to you, and Happy New Year!