Singing Christmas Carols Dates Back To 12th Century
The practice of singing Christmas carols has been attributed to St. Francis of Assisi in the 12th century and despite many changes over the centuries continues today. Some of the carols that were sung at that time did not sit well with some of the religious leaders and have been lost forever. However, the practice of singing Christmas carols remains popular in many cultures. Today's songs are usually renditions of many of the older songs used in past religious celebration.
To make Christmas carols more popular with the children, many of the songs used were written to address the follies of youth incorporating many holiday traditions. Since some of these traditions did not being until the late 19th century or the early 20th century, tracing their roots to American Song writers is easier. Songs such as Up on the Roof Top and Here Comes Santa Claus are often used to help children sing about one of their favorite holidays.
Christmas carols are often used as a means of sharing the spirit of the holiday and it has been said that people who do not appreciate Christmas carols lack the Christmas spirit. This can explain why groups of people gather together near the holiday and travel neighborhoods sharing their spirit with others though songs.
Origins Of Some Songs Remain A Mystery
Many of the Christmas carols sung today are based on religious beliefs and through the years they became tradition. It has often been noted that doing something repeatedly will turn it into a habit, but doing the same thing repeatedly at a specific time of year can turn it into a tradition.
Singing Christmas carols is no longer confined to religious ceremonies and communities often gather to share their spirit by joining in song festivals where their favorite Christmas carols are sung. Performers also join in the spirit by releasing their versions of their favorite Christmas carols for their fans to play throughout the holiday season. Most of these recording center on the religious aspect of the holiday.
However, it is not only the religious that have songs about the holiday and certain thoughts, such as those who write songs like "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," or "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer." While these fanciful renditions may not fit the true description of Christmas carols, they generally are only heard a few times near the end of every December. With any luck, they will not become a tradition.
