Today, Christmas is never complete without Christmas songs playing or being sung in church choirs. It was further popularized in the 20th century when Oxford University Press published one of the most famous carol books, entitled, “Carols of Choirs.” This book of compilation is considered to be significantly influential and changed how the world integrated the singing of carols during the Christmas season. They would perform for passers-by, who, in turn, would thank them with offerings of once pies and tasty drinks. Originally called “Waits,” Christmas carollers would gather together and assemble in public spaces. During this time, the notion of Christmas caroling also began. Christmas music books were being distributed and this led to a spiked interest in playing and singing these songs. By the 19th century, the rise in popularity of Christmas songs began. In the 16th century, Puritans tried to ban Christmas carols but the tradition still carried on in secret, and thus, these songs survived. The oldest printed carol is said to be the “Boar’s Head Carol,” which was published in 1521 and it was traditionally sung at the Queen’s College, Oxford, during Christmas lunch celebrations. With the development of printing technology, soon came about printed carols that were distributed to congregations.
These Nativity plays soon disseminated to other countries, and thus, Christmas songs began to emerge once again, but this time, in languages native to the countries where they were being played and sung. Some of the songs that were sung were written in Latin but many were also translated into the languages that audiences could understand. Francis of Assissi began staging Nativity Plays in Italy that interest in these hymns began to start again. This created a disinterest in singing Christmas songs and it later disappeared from the celebrations of Christmas. Most of the Christmas songs, however, were written in Latin in a language that most Christians could not understand. A Roman Bishop ordered the song “Angel’s Hymn” to be sung at a Christmas service in Rome. In fact, the word “carol” in Latin means “to sing or chant.” They were originally written and sung during all the four seasons but only the tradition of caroling in the winter season has survived, partly because of the onset of Christianity, with the birth of Jesus.Įarly Christians took on the pagan tradition, and it was in 129 CE that the first recorded Christmas song was ever sung in Church. Pagan songs were sung on this day to celebrate the winter season, and it consisted of singing, dancing around in circles, and celebrations. And this also happens to be very proximate to the date of birth of Jesus Christ. It just so happened that winter carols fell on the shortest day of the year, which is around December 22 or also known as the Winter Solstice. However, carols were an entirely different form of song, to begin with.īefore Christianity came about, pagans were already singing carols for each season: summer, spring, autumn, and winter. We call these songs Christmas carols, but really, they are Christian hymns that talk about the birth of Jesus Christ. What is the significance of Christmas songs for Christians? The History of Christian Christmas Songs
But beyond the merriment and the celebrations with family and friends, do we really understand what these songs are all about? Are they about the Christmas holiday or do they express something more? Music has the power to move us and when it comes to Christmas carols, it certainly provides the very atmosphere and general emotion of the season.
We know the melodies and the lyrics, we’re familiar with them, and they bring about a sense of excitement for the holidays to come. We know Christmas is coming when we start hearing Christian Christmas songs on the radio, in the mall, and just about everywhere we go.