Downhere’s first ever holiday collection retains much of the band’s classic elements, but also stretches to previously uncharted realms. Sure, there’s plenty of melodic vocal interplay from co-front men, guitarist Marc Martel and keyboardist Jason Germain, alongside the ultra-infectious rhythm section comprised of bassist Glenn Lavender and drummer Jeremy Thiessen, but there’s also a compelling experiment with organic instrumentation and ingenious holiday interpretations, alongside equally riveting originals.

Though the band carefully preserved the integrity of timeless tunes like “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” “What Child Is This?” and “Silent Night” among many others, each rendering has the group’s signature stamp and is firmly planted in the present. The group also hopes that in the midst of all the shopping insanity, brought on by today’s consumer society, people will truly utilize How Many Kings: Songs For Christmas as a soundtrack to slow down and plug into the true reason for the celebration.

I got the great chance to interview Jason Germain about “Silent Night.” Here are the answers to the questions I asked Jason.

Please tell me the story behind choosing to cover the song “Silent Night”?

When we first talked about recording a Christmas record, the first song I mentioned was “Silent Night.” It was written by two Austrian men in 1818 and it might be the most famous Christmas song of all time. I’ve heard so many versions by Enya, Stevie Nicks, and one version I remember from when I was a kid was by Simon & Garfunkel. At my church back home in Canada, we have a candlelight service every year where we close the Christmas service with “Silent Night.” I’m a history buff and I’ve read about the song being sung by both the Germans and the English across enemy lines during World War II. I’ve wondered what it is about this song that appeals to so many people.

Do you have any personal application regarding your walk as a Christian in singing the song?

Josef Moore wrote the lyrics and as a Christian, the song is very melancholy and almost feels like a funeral dirge. As a Christian we live in the promise of the future King, but we’re surrounded by death. So, we aren’t just celebrating the birth of Christ, but we’re celebrating His entire story, His birth, His crucifixion and most of all His resurrection. What appeals to the world is that we can celebrate the baby Jesus and He’s cute and a harmless baby and then we put Him away the rest of the year and the next year we pull Him back out and He’s a harmless baby again.

How can listeners apply that message in their walks as Christians when they listen to the song?

The lyrics ‘with the dawn of redeeming grace’ sum up the whole purpose of Christmas. That’s the point of the song, it’s not just a Christmas song, but it’s also a Passover song and it’s an Easter song. I like to think that the song is from the perspective of Joseph. Maybe the song is the memory of the night that Christ was born. I think maybe he was thinking about the hope that came to the world because the Savior was born.

Please tell me about any bible verses that you think go with the song?

Luke 2:4-9 (NKJV): Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Here are the lyrics:

Silent night
Holy night
All is calm
All is bright
'Round yon virgin
Mother and Child
Holy infant so
tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night
Holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing "Alleluia!"
Christ, the Savior is born!
Christ, the Savior is born!

Silent night
Holy night
Son of God
Love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Jesus Lord at Thy birth
Heaven coming to earth
Jesus Lord at Thy birth

I love this song, and Downhere does a phenomenal job capturing the essence of the tone of the song. Do you celebrate the baby Jesus at Christmas because He’s cute and a harmless baby and then put Him away the rest of the year? Jesus was born in a dirty manger and His birth was announced to the lowest of low, the shepherds. Don’t miss the significance of Jesus our Lord’s birth. Give Him reverence, celebrating His entire story, His birth, His crucifixion and most of all His resurrection! Merry Christmas!

You can listen to “Silent Night” here.