Dec 14: Silent Night | Aaron Campbell, St. George, Utah

Today's posting is from my father, Aaron Campbell. I love my Dad! My earliest musical training came from sitting and listening to my Dad play his guitar on his bed. I learned about chords and chord progressions and ultimately, I learned to sing because he sang to us kids. In fact, I have sung bass my entire life because that was what I heard him sing at home. When I was 13, my Dad asked me if I wanted to go sing in the ward choir and I always got to stand next to him and sing bass.

My Dad is known for being a man of few words and over my life I have learned to fill in the silent holes in our conversation. I have always been grateful for a quieter Dad because I think and talk so much that I have needed someone to listen to me. He has great ears—both in music and for his family. When my Dad does speak, everyone listens.

Coincidentally a week after receiving this posting from my Dad, he was admitted into the hospital for a mild stroke, which was followed by open-heart surgery this past week. The date of his post was scheduled months ago, so the timing is fitting. It's hard to see someone you love suffer so much, but it's comforting to know that Christ knows how my Dad feels (and each one of us for that matter). Love you Dad!

“My favorite Christmas song is Silent Night. It is the most recognizable song of the holiday. Its melody is simple and beautiful. It's easy to harmonize, yet the harmony makes it even more appealing. One of the reasons that it appeals to me is that it was composed and first performed to the accompaniment of a guitar (My Dad is an avid guitar player). Chord changes are simple yet enhancing to make it a never-to-be-forgotten favorite. The very sound of it turns my thoughts immediately to the Savior.”

Silent Night

composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria
Arranged by Chet Atkins...performed by GuitarEkket86 (YouTuber)

Silent night, Holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin, mother and child

Holy infant, tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, Holy night

Shepherds quake, at the sight

Glories stream from heaven above

Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah.

Christ the Savior is born,

Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, Holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord at thy birth

Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

This guy plays Chet Atkins' arrangement with so much emotion and skill.

Here is another great version of Silent Night by Bing Crosby...this song is the 3rd best selling single of all time.