12/16/2025
Today we share an Advent message from our friend Fr. Dat Tran, the Rector at the Cathedral of St. Andrew:
"The familiar song Silent Night has a way of calming the heart almost instantly. Its simplicity invites quiet and stillness.
"What makes the song even more meaningful is its origin. In 1818, the church in Oberndorf, Austria, faced an unexpected problem: its organ had broken just before Christmas. They had no way to repair it in time. With limited options, Fr. Joseph Mohr brought a short poem he had written, and Franz Gruber composed a simple tune for guitar. They were simply meeting the need of the moment with what they had.
"That humble beginning shaped the character of the song. No grandeur. No complexity. Just a calm, steady invitation to breathe.
"For many of us, December can feel full and fast. Responsibilities multiply. Emotions run high. Expectations grow. Yet Silent Night reminds us that peace often comes in ordinary places — in the quiet moments we allow ourselves to enter.
"Stillness doesn’t require long stretches of silence. Sometimes it’s as small as turning down the lights or sitting in silence before bed. Even a brief pause can open space in the heart and help us notice God’s nearness.
"The beauty of this carol is that it carries peace without demanding anything. It doesn’t ask us to feel a certain way. It doesn’t ask us to slow down our entire life. It simply offers a calm moment — and trusts that it will be enough.
"During these Advent days, let Silent Night be an invitation. When the pace picks up or the noise grows, step aside briefly. Take a breath. Let the day settle. Trust that God meets you not only in the peaceful times, but also in the unexpected, imperfect moments — the ones that feel a bit like a broken organ on Christmas Eve.
"Peace often begins small. And God is present in every quiet place we make room for."
Blessings,
Fr. Dat
