Rather than celebrating the birth of Christ, the text of this hymn represents Christ’s triumphant return. The words, dreamed up by English writer Isaac Watts, are based on the second half of Psalm 98 in the Bible. In the late ’90s, it was named the most-published Christmas hymn in North America. You can just feel the merriness pouring out of it. http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/glory_to_god_ere_zij_god.htm (accessed 16 October 2014, 1:26 AM) The original Latin translation, ‘Adeste Fideles’ is said to have a connection to subversive Catholic ideas at the time of the Jacobite Rebellion. The Jacobite meaning of the carol gradually faded with the cause, but this hymn remains one of the most uplifting sings of the Christmas period.

The notion of groups of carollers assembling in public spaces was a 19th-century one, according to Oxford. Called ‘waits’, these collections of singers used to gather to perform for passers-by, who traditionally thanked them with tasty offerings of drinks or mince pies. Title from the Hymns of Universal Praise. Also called "一輪明月歌" Yīlún Míngyuè Gē by its first line in the Chinese New Hymnal. Good Christians, All Rejoice is a lively carol, the first mention of which came in the 14th century, but earliest manuscripts date from the 1400’s, and was originally intended to teach peasants about Christianity through folk music. The setting is also well known as In Dulci Jubilo. The singing of carols was additionally popularised in the 20th century when Oxford University Press published one of the most beloved carol books, Carols for Choirs. The books in the Carols For Choirscompilation came to be viewed as standard choral texts throughout the English-speaking world and were profoundly influential; according to the composer John Rutter, they "changed the whole sound of Christmas for everybody who sings." Our 12 Favorite Christmas Carolstune: Michael Praetorius (1571–1621) written originally to the lyrics of Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming. John Rutter’s music is always popular at this time of year, and after hearing the soaring melodies of the Candlelight Carol, it’s easy to see why. This carol tells of the Bohemian Duke and Martyr ‘Wenceslaus’ who was converted to Christianity in the 10th century. The tune is actually from a spring ‘carol’ originally found in the same medieval songbook as ‘Gaudete’. : Hear the angels singing, 'Christ is born'. This song tells the story of the birth, death, resurrection and impending return of Christ. It’s become popular for its easily relatable narrative and memorable melody.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” was written by Charles Wesley in 1744 after considering the plight of orphans in his community in light of Haggai 2:7. The hymn was popularized when Charles Spurgeon mentioned it in a Christmas sermon in 1855. The hymn adores Jesus as the one who was “born to set thy people free” and who is “the joy of every longing heart.” (Source: Wikipedia). 4. O Come, Divine MessiahOriginally based on a poem entitled, ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Christina Rossetti, this carol has become equally popular in settings by Gustav Holst and Harold Darke. The text is delicate and intimate, and both settings bring out its beauty. In the United States, this hymn is sung almost exclusively to REGENT SQUARE. That tune was composed in 1867 by Henry T. Smart for Horatius Bonar's doxology, “Glory be to God the Father.” The tune's name comes from Regent Square in London, the location of St. Philip's Presbyterian Church. Its minister, James Hamilton, was text editor of Psalms and Hymns for Divine Worship of 1867, where the tune was first published. has been, in some instances, omitted, and in others a doxology has been substituted. That given in A Hymn Book for the Services of the Church, &c, by the Rev. Isaac Gregory Smith, 1855, reads:— in Sweden it is tradition to dance around the Christmas tree and sing, this being one of the traditional songs sung Silent Night' or ‘Stille Nacht’ is a carol that was originally written in German by Franz Xaver Gruber with lyrics by Joseph Mohr in 1818. This carol radiates calmness and peace associated with the festival and advent of Jesus. 3. 'O Come All Ye Faithful'