What does the word carol mean? Carol actually means dance or a song of praise and joy!

What does the word carol mean? Carol actually means dance or a song of praise and joy!

HISTORY OF CAROLS Carols were first sung in Europe thousands of years ago, but not for Christmas Pagan roots. Intended as a Celebration of The Winter Solstice

Early Christians took over the pagan solstice celebrations for Christmas and gave people Christian songs to sing rather than pagan ones.

Question One Which Christmas Carol is credited with being one of the first?

In A.D. 129, Telesphous, Bishop of Rome, ordained that, "In the Holy Night of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior, all shall solemnly sing the 'Angel's Hymn. With that proclamation the 'Angels Hymn' became the first Christmas hymn of the Christian church. Its most common English version was translated in 1862 by James Chadwick, and its most memorable feature is its chorus Gloria in Excelsis Deo!, which is Latin for Glory to God in the Highest.

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH French Title: Les anges dans nos campagnes. Completely anonymous. Tells the story of Christ s birth, when the angel choir told the good news to nearby shepherds. Chorus reflects the angel choir that long-ago Christmas Night. Glory In Excelsis Deo

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. Refrain Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song? Refrain Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Refrain See Him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise. Refrain

Another famous carol was written in 760 by Comas of Jerusalem Canon for Christmas Day. (Greek Orthodox Church) Soon after this many composer began writing Christmas carols. Lost popularity because they were written and sung in Latin, a language that not many people across Europe could understand.

Middle Ages (1200s) most had lost interest in celebrating Christmas altogether!

St. Fransis of Assisi 1223 began his Nativity Plays in Italy. People in plays sang songs (canticles) that told the Christmas story. Choruses were in Latin, but normally they were in the audience s vernacular. These carols spread to France, Spain, Germany, and other European cities.

Few of St. Francis carols survive today. Many became minstrel songs that were sung by wondering musicians. Lyrics often changed, untrue, and only loosely based on the Christmas Story.

QUESTION 2. Which christmas carol s text reflects the time period when the British were completely fascinated by the sea and sailing?

I Saw Three Ships Said to be a left over tune from St. Francis of Assisi Text changed throughout time. Published in 1666. How could Three Ships visit Bethlehem??

I Saw Three Ships Since this was the age of Exploration and Discovery, comparing the birth of Jesus Christ to ships coming into port would have been easily understood, conveying the extreme excitement that one should have felt on the day of His birth.

I Saw Three Ships BUT WHY THREE?

Multiple references to three throughout the bible and the Christmas Story. Initially- the three wise men Later years, the three ships came to represent the Holy Family themselves.

A common representation of camels is a phrase called ships of the desert so it is an easy association between the three ships and three wise men who would have ridden on camels to visit the birth of Jesus Christ.

I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas Day in the morning. And what was in those ships all three, On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day? And what was in those ships all three, On Christmas Day in the morning? The Virgin Mary and Christ were there, On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; The Virgin Mary and Christ were there, On Christmas Day in the morning. Pray, wither sailed those ships all three, On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; Pray, wither sailed those ships all three, On Christmas Day in the morning? O they sailed into Bethlehem, On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; O they sailed into Bethlehem, On Christmas Day in the morning. And all the bells on earth shall ring, On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; And all the bells on earth shall ring, On Christmas Day in the morning. And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing, On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing, On Christmas Day in the morning. And all the souls on earth shall sing, On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; And all the souls on earth shall sing, On Christmas Day in the morning. Then let us all rejoice again, On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; Then let us all rejoice again, On Christmas Day in the morning.

QUESTION 3. According to a story, which carol was composed in an emergency when the church organ had broken down on Christmas Eve?

Silent Night THE STORY On Christmas Eve, 1818, the organ of Saint Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria, was broken. The assistant pastor of the church JOSEPH MOHR and the organist FRANZ GRUBER composed the hymn in just hours with guitar accompaniment. It was sung in three-part arrangement with the accompaniment of a guitar. Very little evidence exists to support the story of a broken organ. Perhaps Gruber just wanted to use guitar?

Original lyrics Silent night, holy night, Bethlehem sleeps, yet what light, Floats around the heavenly pair; Songs of angels fills the air. Strains of heavenly peace. Strains of heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright 'Round yon virgin mother and Child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia; Christ the Saviour is born Christ the Saviour is born Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Interesting Fact: For years, many believe that the music was written Haydn, or Beethoven. In 1995 a manuscript written by hand by Josef Mohr was discovered. The said manuscript is believed to date back to 1820 and it reveals that the lyrics were written in 1816 by Mohr but the music was composed two years later by Gruber.

What Child Is This Written in 1865 Words written by William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898), a hymn writer who also wrote carols. (age 29 bedridden depression) Three verses taken from his poem The Manger Throne

Like silver lamps in a distant shrine, The stars are sparkling bright The bells of the city of God ring out, For the Son of Mary is born to-night. The gloom is past and the morn at last Is coming with orient light. Never fell melodies half so sweet As those which are filling the skies, And never a palace shone half so fair As the manger bed where our Saviour lies; No night in the year is half so dear As this which has ended our sighs. Now a new Power has come on the earth, A match for the armies of Hell: A Child is born who shall conquer the foe, And all the spirits of wickedness quell: For Mary s Son is the Mighty One Whom the prophets of God fortell. The stars of heaven still shine as at first They gleamed on this wonderful night; The bells of the city of God peal out And the angels song still rings in the height; And love still turns where the Godhead burns Hid in flesh from fleshly sight. Faith sees no longer the stable floor, The pavement of sapphire is there The clear light of heaven streams out to the world And the angels of God are crowding the air, And heaven and earth, through the spotless birth Are at peace on this night so fair.

Lyrics as we know them today 1. What Child is this, who laid to rest On Mary s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping? Refrain This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, Haste, to bring him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary. 2. Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. Refrain 3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh Come peasant, King to own Him; The King of Kings salvation brings Let loving hearts enthrone him. Refrain

Original Lyrics 1. What Child is this who, laid to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing; Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary. Removal of references to the cross.. 2. Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, The cross be borne for me, for you. Hail, hail the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary. 3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come peasant, king to own Him; The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Raise, raise a song on high, The virgin sings her lullaby. Joy, joy for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

The words represent a unique view of Christ s birth. While the baby was the focal point of the song, the point of view of the writer seemed to be that of a confused observer. Dix imagined the visitors to the manger bed wondering about the child who had just been born. In each verse, he described the child s birth, life, death and resurrection, answering the question with a triumphant declaration of the infant s divinity.

QUESTION 4. What carol was written to serve as a memory aid to help young Catholics learn the tenents of their faith?

The Twelve Days of Christmas Between the years 1558 and 1829, those of the Catholic belief in England were prohibited from practicing their faith, either publicly or privately.

In a sense, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an allegory with each of the items contained within the words a symbol of something which bears religious significance. Strange resemblance to a 1625 song A New Dial Question and Answer Format

What are they that are but one? We have one God alone In heaven above sits on His throne. What are they which are but two? Two testaments, the old and new, We do acknowledge to be true. What are they which are but three? Three persons in the Trinity Which make one God in unity. What are they which are but four Four sweet Evangelists there are, Christ's birth, life, death which do declare. What are they which are but five? Five senses, like five kings, maintain In every man a several reign. What are they which are but six? Six days to labor is not wrong, For God himself did work so long. What are they which are but seven? Seven liberal arts hath God sent down With divine skill man's soul to crown. What are they which are but eight? Eight Beatitudes are there given Use them right and go to heaven. What are they which are but nine? Nine Muses, like the heaven's nine spheres, With sacred tunes entice our ears. What are they which are but ten? Ten statutes God to Moses gave Which, kept or broke, do spill or save. What are they which are but eleven? Eleven thousand virgins did partake And suffered death for Jesus' sake. What are they which are but twelve? Twelve are attending on God's son; Twelve make our creed. The Dial's done.

Youtube Video The Twelve Days of Christmas

One Partidge In a Pear Tree True Love refers to God Partridge -- The One True God Two turtle doves -- Old and New Testaments

Three French hens Gifts of the Magi Four colley birds -- the Four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John or four Gospels Five gold rings the first five books of the Bible

Six geese Six Days of Creation Seven swans -- seven Sacraments Eight maids a-milking -- eight Beatitudes

Nine ladies dancing Fruits of the Holy Spirit Ten lords a-leaping Ten Commandments

Eleven pipers -- eleven faithful disciples Twelve drummers Twelve Points of the Apostles Creed

Hand out Questions?

History of Christmas Carols SESSION TWO

Question 1 What Christmas Carol was written in Philadelphia and is said to have been inspired by the assassination of President Lincoln?

Lets Sing Together

CHRISTMAS CAROLS QUESTION 2. Which melody was written to comemorate the invention of printing press and later adapted as a Christmas carol?

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Tells the story of an event recorded in the bible after Jesus was born: An angel appeared in the sky to announce Christ s birth, and shortly thereafter was joined by a huge amount of other angels singing out praises:???

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men' (Luke 2:13-14)

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing It is a movement from Festgesang by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, composed for the Gutenberg Festival in 1840 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the printing press. Lyrics by Charles Wesley, whose older brother John, was the founder of Methodist Chruch Adapted 15 years later by W.H.Cummings Narrative by Dr. Jeffrey Sanders

Hark the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled" Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!"

QUESTION 3. Which Christmas carol is about the patron saint of the Czech state?

Good King Wenceslas This carol tells the story of the sainted Catholic king, Wenceslas (Vaclav I) who ruled Bohemia in the 10th century. The song is about the king and his page who go out to give alm to a poor peasant on the Feast on Stephen (Dec 26) Tune: Tempus adest floridum Easter song from the 13th century The Time is Near for Flowering

Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen, When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even Brightly shone the moon that night. Though the frost was cruel When a poor man came in sight Gath ring winter fuel. Hither, page, and stand by me If thou know st it, telling Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling? Sire, he lives a good league hence Underneath the mountain Right against the forest fence By Saint Agnes fountain. Bring me flesh and bring me wine Bring me pine logs hither Thou and I will see him dine When we bear them thither. Page and monarch forth they went Forth they went together Through the rude wind s wild lament And the bitter weather. Sire, the night is darker now And the wind blows stronger Fails my heart, I know not how, I can go no longer. Mark my footsteps, my good page Tread thou in them boldly Thou shalt find the winter s rage Freeze thy blood less coldly. In his master s steps he trod Where the snow lay dinted Heat was in the very sod Which the Saint had printed Therefore, Christian men, be sure Wealth or rank possessing Ye who now will bless the poor Shall yourselves find blessing.

Good King Wenceslas Father was Christian, Mother was Pagan. Upon his fathers death, struggles broke out Known for his generosity to the poor Murdered by his brother. Remains a nationalist hero to the Czech people even today.

QUESTION 4. Which famous song was forbidden to be sung by French church officials?

Oh, Holy Night Text by Placide Cappeau Music by composer Adolphe Adam (1803-1856) At the beginning the song was condemned by Catholic Church Inspired a 24 hour truce over Christmas during the Franco- Prussian War

Oh, Holy Night First song ever played on the radio waves 1906 Christmas Eve. World Wide