Today we continue to listen to the likes of ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ and ‘Last Christmas’ on repeat. However, do any of us really know where the first versions of Christmas music started? I didn’t and so took a deep dive into the history of Christmas past. What I found was very interesting, and what you’d be surprised to learn about, was the crossover between 14th-century Latin hymns and Mariah Carey.

Actually, Christmas music was invented around the 4th century featuring Latin hymns about Jesus Christ. These heavily religious texts have evolved throughout time into the Christmas songs and movies we know today. Nevertheless, the religious aspect does continue to withstand time. Take Josh Groban’s version of ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, or Carrie Underwood’s ‘The First Noel’. Here, we can see that in the present day, the meaningful aspects of Christmas are eternal.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to appreciate ‘Driving home for’ a ‘White Christmas’. But sometimes we can take the festive period for granted. Initially, the hymns were established to recognise the story of the Nativity and to praise the ethereality of Christianity. These hymns started taking over from the previous pagan songs which celebrated the Winter Solstice. Nowadays, the concern may be more for singing ‘Santa Baby’ rather than ‘God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen’, yet the notion of carolling remains spiritually inclusive. So, no matter the content of the text, the Christmas period still brings groups together in communal song.

There is certainly a Christmas song for every occasion. From the classic George Michael or the more recent Mariah Carey on the radio, to our primary school productions of the Nativity – Christmas music transcends genre. This is important to acknowledge, however, what I find most interesting is the intersection between them. For example, we can look at the catchy lyrics of Mariah Carey and notice that she mentions the sound of children’s laughter’ and that ‘everyone is signing’. It wouldn’t be a stretch then to say that her pop hit references early carol singing and the collectivism which the initial religious hymns invoked. Though this may be a bit niche, the thought is not totally impossible.

The moral of the story is that the first Christmas hymns have withstood time and continue to underpin the pop hits of today. Whether we have current artists covering the hymns directly or perhaps some of the first lyrics feature in other songs. It just goes to show that the Christmas period is one in which everyone rejoices in the festive power of music.

Whether you want to reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas and look to the religious songs and traditional hymns. Or whether you’d rather have a boogie to ‘Rock Around the Christmas Tree’, there is something for everyone. I would argue that a good mix of both sets us up nicely for the most joyous time of the year!