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Christmas Carols have been a part of the Christmas season since, as one article said, the angels sang to the shepherds on the first Christmas. In this column we will look at the origins of Christmas carols, and some interesting facts about them.
Uinta Chieftain, December 19, 1911 –English Originated Carols The singing of Christmas carols originated in England. Each holiday season the familiar words of the tuneful Christmas Carol ring out all over the country. The origin of these songs is both interesting and colorful. While some of them’ were composed here in America, others were written and set to music in other parts of the world. Below, with illustrations, and a brief history of Origin are presented some of the better known of these songs.
O Little Town of Bethleham —‘O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie; ‘Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by . . .’
These words were written in 1868 by Phillips Brooks, young rector of Philadelphia, after a visit to Palestine. His church organist, Lewis Redner, wrote the melody. It came to him “ina dream” on Christmas Eve.
I Heard the Bells– ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Their old familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good will to men.’
When Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the words to this song, the United States was experiencing its second year of the Civil War. The words, “peace on earth,” gave expression to the hope of millions.
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear — ‘It came upon the midnight clear. That glorious song of old— From Angels bending near the earth. To touch their harps of gold.’
Here is another beloved carol which was composed in America. The words were written in December, 1819, by Rev. Edmund Sears. It was sung to an old hymn-tune until its present melody was composed by Richard Willis in 1851.
O Come, All Ye Faithful – ‘O come, all ye Faithful Joyful and Triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem’
Origin of this hymn is controversial. When introduced in England about 1800 it was know as the “Portuguese Hymn.” Its lines do not rhyme because they were translated from the Latin.
The First Noel— ‘The first Noel the angels did say was to certain poor she.’herds in fields as they lay. In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.’
This is a true folk-song, claimed by both France and England. According to tradition, the verses are sung by the shepherds and the refrain by the angels. Glory to God in Highest, and on Earth Peace, Good Will towards Men.
Lander Evening Post, December 12, 1921
During WWI, The Cowley Progress on December 31, 1915, had this story. (Part of a longer story about the birth of Jesus and some of his teachings) During the past year the nations of Europe have seemed to forget Him and His teachings, but the prayers they offer over their multiplied dead are in His name. During the present week the| anniversary of His birth is being celebrated. Over the wreck which the great war is making men cannot see clearly why it should have been permitted or when it is going to end, but they reflect that with the Infinite “a thousand years are but as a day when it is past,” and do not try to grasp the plan which inaugurated and is carrying on the present struggle, but reflect that the only hope here and here after I is through the promises made by their teacher when He dwelt among men.
So they return to the old rejoicing they spread feasts and mad« gins; they hail each Other with happy greeting: in the churches robed priests are ministering incense is burned, organ the choir awaken celestial music. Christmas bells are rung, and Christmas carols sung, and the refrain as it floats away into space is the same everywhere “Peace on earth and to man, goodwill.” Would that it might pierce the ranks of man fighting beyond the sea and melt their hearts into making a real and lasting peace. -Goodwins Weekly.
And perhaps, at least in one instance, this did actually work for a brief time. The “Christmas Truce” of 1914 occurred a few days before Christmas and into Boxing Day, the day after Christmas. There British and German troops were close enough in the trenches to shout Christmas greetings and sing Christmas carols to each other in their native languages. There were excursions across No Man’s Land, and gifts such as tobacco, alcohol and souvenirs were exchanged.
There were even football games arranged between the German and British soldiers.
But, there always has to be a Christmas Grinch, so it seems.
Weston County Gazette, January 28, 1915 – Football Game Halts War British and German Soldiers Fight on the Gridiron —Kaiser Upsets the Schedule. Berlin.— A general order issued by the German army authorities prohibits football games in the field between German and English soldiers. At Christmas time men from both sides in the western theater of war fraternized and played hotly contested games of football.
Officers and men laid aside their arms and watched the players and cheered them on. The rivalry became so intense that war was forgotten and the men who kicked the most goals received more applause than is usually given heroes on the fighting line. At one place where the Germans and British played the game was a draw and the players agreed to suspend fighting for two days more in order to decide the issue on two games out of three. News of this reached the military authorities and it was decided that football was interfering too much with the business of warfare, aside from the complications arising from too friendly contact between the advance guards. The order was issued forth with and there will be no more athletic con tests between the soldiers, who also are forbidden to fraternize or meet on any terms except those of bitter enmity.
This incident has been the subject of several songs, plays, and a movie. It was also perhaps the inspiration for the Royal Guardsman Song, ‘Snoopy’s Christmas,’ about Snoopy and Red Baron, where the Christmas Bells inspired them to declare a truce for a brief time.
Christmas Carols are so much a part of our Christmas celebrations, it is hard to think of Christmas without them. It would be very silent.
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Last modified: December 15, 2025