It was Christmas Eve in the old Austrian village of Berndorf. Throughout the village, people were anticipating the Christmas Eve service, especially the glorious Christmas music they loved so much. But that afternoon, a big problem had developed in the little church of St. Nicholas.

The village choir of boys and girls had come to the church, eager to rehearse their music. But when Franz Gruber, the part-time organist, had pumped the organ pedals, there was nothing but a wheeze. Now Father Joseph Mohr, the young priest who was to conduct the service, sat gloomily at his desk as night fell. What were they to do? How could there be a Christmas Eve service without music?

This beautiful picture book tells how Father Mohr and Franz Gruber went to work in the final hours of the evening and came to write one of the world's best-known and best-loved Christmas songs—"Silent Night." It also tells how this simple song quickly spread from country to country and from language to language, and how its message of hope and peace continues to be shared throughout the world—even in times of war and strife. Richly detailed illustrations by Tim Ladwig perfectly capture the atmosphere and setting of the story, making Silent Night by Margaret Hodges a wonderful book for parents to read with children during the Christmas season.

From the dust jacket