Christmas Caroling

Image via Wikipedia

Carols are the soundtrack that unites the world during the celebration of Christmas. The idea of Christmas Carolers brings to mind happy bands of church members going house to house singing. Whether it be “ Silent Night”, Jingle Bells”, or “Joy to the World”, everyone loves Christmas Carols.

The history of Christmas Carols goes back to the beginning of Christianity in the early 1200’s. Hymns or chants sung for the festival of Christmas were considered religious in nature, and not allowed to be sung outside the church walls.

Since the singing of carols was forbidden except in church, people began to write their own folk songs about Christmas. These original carols actually refer to a type of circle dance music without lyrics. They soon evolved into songs called , The Nativity Carols, and spread throughout the countryside.

Unlike Christmas Carols, caroling is thought to have it’s origins in the pre-Christian celebration of the Festival of Yule in the North Europeans countries. In honor of the Winter Solstice Celebration families would dance and sing ,while traveling to visit family and friends. This evolved into the English tradition of wassailing,( singing carols door to door), and for Americans is known as caroling.

Christmas Carols tell a story, it may be the birth of Christ, Santa Claus, or any story associated with Christmas. But what they mainly do is give us an opportunity to express feelings of joy and happiness.