Hymn Stories, Christmas Trivia Quiz

Answer: Silent Night

Many stories have been written about this hymn, some are pure fiction and others greatly embellish the actual known facts.

Joseph Krol, a Catholic priest, pastored a small village church in Mariapfarr, Austria and may have written the words to this hymn there. He was later sent to Oberndorf, Austria. Krol loved to play the guitar and he took the words to Franz Gruber, an organist and music teacher, and ask him to write a guitar accompaniment for it. It was performed for the first time during midnight mass at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Oberndorf. Karl Mauracher, an organ repairman, was primarily responsible for copying and distributing it throughout the region as the "Tyrolean Folk Song". In a short amount of time the hymn was being sung throughout Europe.

Joseph Krol was for many years not recognized as the author of this hymn. He was known to give most of his earnings to care for the elderly and the education of poor children. He died penniless pastoring a church in an alpine ski area.

In many ways his life reflects the true spirit of Christmas more than the many fictional stories surrounding the writing of this hymn.

Answer: Away In The Manger

This hymn first published in 1885 in the Lutheran Hymnal was assumed to be written by Martin Luther but actually the writer of the first two verses is unknown. Charles Gabriel, a noted gospel song writer, wrote the third verse of the song for his, "Gabriel's Vineyard Hymnal", and called it, "Cradle Song". He gave credit for the song, including the verse he had written, to Martin Luther.

Answer: Sweet Little Jesus Boy

Robert MacGimsy wrote so many African-American style songs, both secular and spiritual, that many thought he was an African American. He was white and was born and raised in Pineville, Louisiana. His friendships and associations with the African Americans of his childhood surely influenced and help to develop his knowledge and love for this style of music.

Answer: Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley is credited with writing over 6,000 hymns. In all the hymns he wrote he carefully expounded the evangelical truths he found in the Scriptures. His hymns were like a Sunday school lesson written on the heart. His brother John Wesley was a prolific preacher and writer.

As many as eight different denominations claim they formed their foundations from the teachings of the Wesley brothers.

Answer: Wenceslas

"Good King Wenceslas" was indeed a real king who ruled in Bohemia. He was crowned king when he was just eighteen. He ruled with such wisdom and compassion that he exemplified Christ in all he did. Like Christ, in spite of his goodness, he had enemies and he was murdered on the steps of his church at the young age of twenty two.
His memory is honored today with a statue of him on horseback in Wenceslas Square, Prague, Czech Republic.

Answer: Longfellow

It was 1863 when this hymn was published. America was torn by the Civil War. Thousands had been killed and wounded on both sides. Longfellow's hymn must have expressed the despair in many hearts and perhaps encouraged them with the hope found in the promise of Christmas.
"Yet pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor does he sleep:
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth good will to men."

Answer: What Child Is This

William Dix was a successful business man when at age 29 he was struck with a serious debilitating illness that sent him into a deep depression. During this time he had a life changing personal experience with God. This hymn was originally a poem called,"The Manger Throne". the poem was later shortened and set to the tune of, "Greensleeves".

The words of this hymn express the questions that perhaps many have as they ponder the humble events of the Christmas story.

Answer: Professor

John Work was a professor of Latin and Greek at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Music ran in his veins as well as his genes. His father was a choir director and his mother trained singing groups at Fisk. He and his brother Frederick were pioneers in collecting, performing and preserving African-American folk music.

Answer: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Phillip Brooks was six-foot-six and was much loved by the Episcopal congregations he pastored throughout Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

"After his death a mother told her five-year-old daughter that Bishop Brooks had gone to heaven. "The girl's face brightened as she said, "Oh, Mama, how happy the angels will be!"

"The Complete Book Of Hymns", William J. Petersen & Ardythe Petersen

Answer: Joy To The World

Isaac Watts wrote many hymns in the 17th century that are still found in the hymnals of many various denominations today. This hymn, based on Psalm 98, was intended to celebrate the anticipation of Christ's return to reign and rule the world in righteousness. It never even mentions the birth of Christ.