Not only is Silent Night the title of Sue Thomas’s autobiography, but it also is the song that carried her through life.

Sue often spoke of how her earliest memory was of being rocked in a little wooden rocking chair. As her mom rocked back and forth, as mothers do, she would sing lullabies.

Little Susie would snuggle her head against the warmth of her mother’s chest, and feel the comforting quiver of mom’s gentle voice. And if she particularly liked the song, her tiny hand would creep up to lay gently on her mother’s throat, so she could feel all the vibrations she could!

It must have been around Christmas because Sue’s earliest memories were of her mom singing Silent Night. At that tender young age, and with no audible sound, she also had no comprehension of words, yet found that the rhythm and flow was very peaceful and soothing.

As little Sue grew up and learned about language through her speech therapist, the words of Silent Night took on a deep meaning, and she adopted the song as her personal anthem to help her get through difficult times.

In later years Silent Night became Sue’s signature song that she used to close her speeches. “I’m not singing this for you,” she would announce to the sea of faces before her. “I’m singing it to Him.”

Then she would close her eyes, and the words would flow, full-throated and filled with emotion. She knew she was off key, but she also had no doubt that it was melodious and in perfect pitch by the time it reached the ears of her Lord who loved her.

Thousands of times from the platform she sang that first verse. But I’ve heard her exclaim many times over the years how her favorite verse was actually this one…

Son of God, love’s Pure Light,

“Silent night, holy night,

Radiance streams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of Redeeming Grace!”

These are the words that became her “fight song” whenever she was going through extraordinarily difficult situations. In those times I could sense there was an inward battle raging…

…and then after a while I would hear her begin to hum, long and drawn out. At first it would be indistinguishable. Then I would recognize the ebb and flow of the tune.

Slowly the words would begin to form on her lips. By the time she reached that favorite verse she would be fervently, passionately, and LOUDLY singing. She was proclaiming that it was only His redeeming Grace, that could sustain her. She didn’t have the strength. Or the strength she did have was all wrong. So He would have to fight the battle for her.

If you’re going through a rough patch today, run to Jesus!

Lean against Him, and be still until you feel the rumble of His voice.

After all, the Word of God does say that He sings over us! We might not understand all of the words, but we will know that His Presence is with us. Emmanuel. “God Himself will be with us.” Revelation 21.3

And when all seems the darkest,

He will sing with us.

Jesus~ Love’s pure Light,

will turn the silence into Holy Night.