A Christmas Carol is traditionally, a song that promotes religious joy though Modern Christmas Carols typically arouse our holiday spirit. The earliest known Christmas Songs date from the 4th century AD; "Jesus refulsit omnium by St. Hilary of Poitiers" is the oldest on record. Songs were created in the Catholic Church and various other religous organizations. The earliest of these religious songs are of course, written in Latin. Music by Handel and Mendelssohn was adapted and used to accompany Christmas carols. The most famous of all, Silent Night (Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht) was written by the Austrian parish priest Joseph Mohr and composed by Franz Gruber, a church organist, in 1818. |