The Timeless Tradition of Christmas Carols: A Festive Journey Through History
Why Christmas Carols Matter This Holiday Season
As December arrives and festive lights illuminate streets across the United Kingdom, the sound of Christmas carols fills the air, connecting communities through centuries-old traditions. A Christmas carol is a carol (a song or hymn) on the theme of Christmas, traditionally sung at Christmas itself or during the surrounding Christmas and holiday season. This year, the tradition continues with renewed vigour, from Princess Catherine’s annual event, Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, to 15 sing-along performances hosted across six days at the Royal Albert Hall.
The Ancient Origins of Carol Singing
The history of Christmas carols stretches back far beyond their Christian associations. The songs now known specifically as carols were originally communal songs sung during celebrations like harvest tide as well as Christmas. It was only later that carols began to be sung in church, and to be specifically associated with Christmas. The first known Christmas hymns may be traced to 4th-century Rome. The first recorded evidence we have of songs being performed specifically for this new holiday of Christmas appears from a Roman bishop in 129 CE. The song was called Angel’s Hymn.
The word carol comes from the old French word ‘carole’, which meant a popular circle dance accompanied by singing. During medieval times, carols evolved significantly. In the 12th century the Parisian monk Adam of Saint Victor began to derive music from popular songs, introducing something closer to the traditional Christmas carol.
The Victorian Revival and Modern Celebrations
The Christmas carols we know today largely took shape during the Victorian era. Carols remained mainly unsung until Victorian times, when Christmas became a holiday families could enjoy and music became a big part of the celebrations. It would become a tradition to sing carols after the Christmas meal. Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert, were keen to promote the concept of a ‘family Christmas’ and carols, along with the introduction of the Christmas tree (a tradition from Albert’s native Germany) played a big role in this.
Today, carol singing remains a beloved British tradition. The Christmas carol concert at the Royal Albert Hall is a must-attend, with 15 sing-along performances hosted across six days this year, while Westminster Abbey choir in this historic setting offers events throughout December, many of which are free.
The Enduring Appeal of Christmas Carols
What makes Christmas carols so enduringly popular? Traditionally, carols have often been based on medieval chord patterns, and it is this that gives them their uniquely characteristic musical sound. Some carols like “Personent hodie”, “Good King Wenceslas”, and “The Holly and the Ivy” can be traced directly back to the Middle Ages, and are among the oldest musical compositions still regularly sung.
For modern audiences, Christmas carols represent more than just seasonal entertainment. They connect us to centuries of tradition, bring communities together, and create moments of shared joy during the darkest days of winter. Whether sung in grand cathedrals, at family gatherings, or by groups of carollers in village squares, these timeless melodies continue to define the spirit of Christmas across the United Kingdom and beyond.