Origin Stories
This carol was written Christmas Eve, 1818. The church organ broke, and organist Franz Gruber and priest Joseph Mohr wrote this carol for guitar. It became an instant hit, and spread internationally.
Silent Night
The original Latin carol was written by a Catholic music copyist, John Frances Wade, who fled England and moved to France in 1741. It wasn't translated into English until a 100 years later by Frederick Oakeley.
O Come All ye Faithful
This carol was originally written for the Thanksgiving season (the beginning of snowfall) to celebrate friendship and courtship--it's about having a date that goes wrong with a lady!
Jingle Bells
This song was written during COVID and focused on the themes of Jesus' ultimate victory and His light overcoming darkness.
Originally called "Shchedryk," the carol originally was about a swallow announcing and wishing all a prosperous and bountiful New Year. It had nothing to do with Christmas.
Carol of the Bells
This carol stopped a battle: during a Christmas in WWI, German troops began singing this carol at midnight. At first, the British and French troops thought it was a trap, but soon all three armies were singing together, exchanging gifts, and playing soccer between the trench battle lines.
Silent Night
An American poet lost his son in the Civil war, and tragically lost his wife in an oil fire at home. Surrounded by despair and death, the poet heard Christmas bells ring. He wrote this carol to show how God is good despite the evil that surrounds us.
I Heard the bells
This carol's lyrics were written by a businessman who was recovering from an illness and depression. 6 years later in 1871, his poem was set to the 16th Century tune of "Greensleves," and thus a famous carol was born.
What Child is This
We actually don't know who wrote this French Christmas carol. We do know its "Gloaria" section was taken from earlier Christian liturgy and the carol was translated into English by James Chadwick in 1862.
Angels We Have Heard on High
Written between 1843-1847, the carol was banned in France because its composers were a Jew and a Socialist. It later became famous in America when translated by an abolitionist. It was the first song ever to be broadcasted on the radio--played by a solo violin.
O Holy Night