The music of Christmas has always brought joy, awe, and festivity. Christmas music has evolved as traditions have changed. However the meaning of the holiday has remained. Here is a short history of Christmas music from the Middle Ages.
The first specifically Christmas hymns that we know of appear in fourth century Rome. Like all Christian music of the medieval period, these were Latin hymns. Specifically they were used for liturgical purposes. Instruments were never used. Therefore, all songs were performed a cappella. Christmas music was not sung outside of churches.
St. Ambrose of Milan wrote Veni redemptor gentium (“Come, Redeemer of the nations”), in the fourth century. He composed it for the Advent season. Accordingly it especially signifies the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth.
Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It is the official start of the Christmas season. What would the Christmas season be without music? From now through Christmas I’ll be exploring some of the Christmas music we all enjoy.
Did you know that some of our Christmas traditions actually started before the birth of Christ? Centuries before Christ was born, ancient Norwegians greeted winter with a festival they called “Jul.” On the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, they ventured into the woods, cut down an evergreen tree and brought it inside. This served as a reminder that some things survive even the harshest of winters and they could, too. They also brought home the largest log they could find and set it on fire. Each spark represented a pig or calf that would be born in the spring. For as long as the “jullog” burned the festival continued, traditionally 12 days.
To celebrate the hardy Norwegian spirit, I selected a song that celebrates triumph over the bleakness of the dark winter. “In the Bleak Midwinter” was voted top Christmas Carol in 2008 by BBC Music magazine.
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk,
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.
Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air –
But only His mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man
I would do my part;
Yet what I can, I give Him –
I will give my heart.
“There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.”
“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
A Charlie Brown Christmas
It’s hard to beat the animated Christmas specials. Ever since I was a kid I always enjoy Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Ever since its release in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas holds a special place in my heart. Peanuts was dad’s favorite comic strip. I made him this picture one year for Christmas. I don’t know if that was the characters, its acknowledgment of the true meaning of Christmas, or the soundtrack. Whatever it was, its magic continues to be relevant year after year.
Now that Thanksgiving is over the Spirit of Christmas is everywhere. We decorate our homes, trees, etc. And Christmas music fills the air. Everyone has their favorites. It’s hard to beat the classics like Andy Williams and Nat King Cole. Linda enjoys Amy Grant. But the one album that brings back memories of my youth is the soundtrack from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Let me know your favorites.
I’m happy to kick off this year’s Christmas Carol program with the opening track from this album.
Share List
Posted inChristmas, Holy Grail|Comments Off on Holy Grail: Christmas Edition
The music of Christmas has always brought joy, awe, and festivity. Christmas music has evolved as traditions have changed. However the meaning of the holiday has remained. Here is a short history of Christmas music from the Middle Ages.
