Christmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season. Music associated with Christmas may be purely instrumental, or in the case of many carols or songs may employ lyrics whose subject matter ranges from the nativity of Jesus Christ, to gift -giving and merrymaking, to cultural figures such as Santa Claus, among other topics. Performances of Christmas music at public concerts, in churches, at shopping malls, on city streets, and in private gatherings is an integral staple of the Christmas holiday in many cultures across the world.
Music associated with Christmas is thought to have its origins in 4th century Rome, in Latin hymns such as Veni redemptor gentium. By the 13th century, under the influence of Francis of Assisi, the tradition of popular Christmas songs in regional native languages developed. Christmas carols in the English language first appear in a 1426 work of John Awdlay, an English chaplain, who lists twenty five "caroles of Cristemas", probably sung by groups of 'wassailers' who would travel from house to house. In the 16th century, various Christmas carols still sung to this day, including "The 12 Days of Christmas ", "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen", and "O Christmas Tree ", first emerged.
The Victorian Era saw a surge of Christmas carols associated with a renewed admiration of the holiday, including "Silent Night ", "O Little Town of Bethlehem ", and "O Holy Night ". The first Christmas songs associated with Saint Nicholas or other gift -bringers also came during 19th century, including "Up on the Housetop" and "Jolly Old St. Nicholas".
Copyright 2024 puzzlefactory.com All rights reserved.
