Lutheran Church of Mahomet, The Invitation 2018 Service Invitation | Page 5

the shame and hardship of
raising a fatherless child. The
town's hangman befriended
Anna and vowed to help her and
her newborn son, Joseph Mohr.
The local priest also assisted the
boy as he grew into a gifted
minister, and even paid for his
education. After the schooling,
Joseph served as an associate
minister for St. Nicholas' Church
in Oberdorf near Salzburg.
The legend of the story, passed
down for two hundred years,
says the church organ was
broken, so Joseph decided to use
a guitar to provide music for the
Christmas Eve church service.
On December 24, 1818, Franz
Xaver Gruber crafted a timeless
melody to carry the poetic lyrics
of Joseph Mohr, which he had
written while walking along the
river after visiting at a church
member's home. The Christmas
classic "Silent Night, Holy Night"
is the glorious result of this di-
vinely appointed collaboration.
Today we celebrate two hundred
years of souls comforted and
hearts enlightened by sacred
music's beautiful gift.
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