During the Christmas season one of the most common traditions is the singing of Christmas carols whether it is with family and friends or as a group singing around the neighborhood. It is one of the oldest folk traditions and dates back to the time of the beginnings of Christianity and the Christmas season. Caroling originally translated to ‘circle dance’ and the music began as chants during the pagan celebration of the Winter Solstice and words were added later.

Early Christians adopted the pagan celebration and replaced the songs with Christian ones for Christmas. A Roman Bishop adopted a hymn for Christmas in 129AD and another one was written in 760AD by Comas of Jerusalem. The carols were not popular since they were sung in Latin which was a language that many people could not understand.

The church disapproved of carol singing initially and considered it a pagan custom so it was not allowed in the religious services. However, outside of church the simple folk songs and Nativity carols became popular. Saint Francis of Assisi introduced carols to worship services in 1223 during a Midnight Mass at Christmas. The songs were sung as carols instead of hymns and came into their own during following years spreading to France, Spain and Germany as well as other countries in Europe.

Watchmen who guarded city walls sung carols to pass the time and would sing them to passing visitors. Minstrels would travel from house to house singing carols hoping for the hospitality to be returned. As time passed, musicians began performing and singing carols for Christmas season festivities. When the Puritans came into power under Oliver Cromwell in 1647 they put a stop to the celebration of Christmas and the singing of carols. People continued to sing carols in secret so the tradition survived.

New carols were created and the singing of carols in the streets increased in popularity and remains so to this day. Many Christmas carols have become an accepted part of church services and activities as a traditional part of the season.

Tags: 1223 AD, 1647, 760 AD, Carols 129 AD, Christmas, Christmas Carols, Circle Dance, Comas of Jerusalem, Early Christian rituals, European Christmas Carol Tradition, Folk Songs, Folk Traditions, history of Christmas Carols, hymns, King Charles I, Latin Carols, Latin Christmas Carols, Nativity Carols, Oliver Cromwell, Pagan Carols, Paul Dlaroche, Saint Francis of Asisi, The Puritans, Winter Solstice