I have always loved Christmas carols. When I was a kid, I sang along with our records, caroled the neighborhood with friends, and sang in the church choir. However, I never thought about when these carols were written. To me, they were just old songs.
I have since learned that while “Joy to the World” and “Away in a Manger” were old to me, they were rather young in the history of Christmas music.
Celebrating Christmas on December 25 was first recognized by the Church in 375 A.D. Back then, hymns were often sung without music. Below is a list of original Christmas music. Most of it was not originally written in English, and all these titles were new to me.
- “Jesus Refulsit Omnium” (“Jesus, Light of All the Nations”) – 365 A.D.
- “Corde natus ex Parentis” (“Of the Father’s Love Begotten“) – 4th century (Click the link to listen to it. It is awesome!)
- “The Friendly Beasts” – 12th century
- “Entre le bœuf et l’âne gris” (“Between the Ox and the Grey Donkey”) – 13th century or 16th century
- In dulci jublio” (“In Sweet Rejoicing“) – 1328
- “Resonet in laudibus” (“Let the voice of praise resound”) – 1360
Wow, some of those are really old. If you want to hear what they sounded like, click on the links (“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” is super good.)
Let’s look at some of the Christmas carols we sing today (click here to see a much longer list.) By comparison, they aren’t old at all. I guess I was wrong when I was a kid.
- “Joy to the World” – 1719
- “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – 1739
- “The First Noel” – 1823
- “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” – 1849
- “Jingle Bells” – 1857
- “We Three Kings of Orient Are” – 1863
- “Go Tell It On the Mountain” – 1865
- “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – 1867
- “Away in a Manger” – 1882
- “Carol of the Bells” – 1904
- “Christmas Song” – 1945
- “Little Drummer Boy” – 1957
- “Do You Hear What I Hear?” – 1962