Traditions of Christmas: Christmas Carols

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People enjoy going out to sing Christmas carols for others
People enjoy going out to sing Christmas carols for others

Christmas Carols originated as pagan dance rituals and gained popularity during the American Civil War.  Huge choruses began assembling and singing carols to celebrate the Messiah’s birth.  By 1928 there were over 2000 American cities with carolers.

Most popular Christmas carols and songs were not written until after 1850.

The first hymns were sung in the early 100’s.  Composers were inspired to write hymns for the church by the 700’s.  Francis of Assisi started Christmas plays in the 1200’s, that often looked like a pageant.

There are many Christmas Carols to be enjoyed today
There are many Christmas Carols to be enjoyed today

Handel wrote The Messiah in 1741 and it was an instant hit.  However it was often sung at Easter and did not become a Christmas tradition until the 1900’s.

Prince Albert of England loved to sing and as word spread groups came together to sing for Queen Victoria.  It became extremely popular through the years but has dimmed today.

In 1914 a truce was called during WWI as the two sides came together to sing.

For more in the traditions of Christmas Series: The Christmas Tree, Mistletoe

Click here for: For the history of popular Christmas songs, Christmas carols or The Story of Mary, the Mother of Jesus

 

 

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