How many Christmas songs might there be about Jesus Christ's birth. It is along ago did that they converted Christ's birth to December. That was December 25th in 336. According to Gerald Oehring and Associates (Church Organs), the first song comes because of that celebration:
Jesus Refulsit Omnium. It is considered the oldest known Christmas song in the world. Like many of the first Christmas songs, “Jesus Refulsit Omnium” is a Christian hymn. The hymn was composed in Latin by St. Hilary of Poitiers sometime in the fourth century. It is believed that he may have created the song after the first recorded Christmas celebration took place in 336 AD. In English, the title is Jesus, Light of All the Nations.
The oldest known Christmas song that is still performed by a few churches today is Corde angus ex Parentis - Of the Father's Love Begotten. This was created between 348 and 413 and was written by Aurelius Prudentius Clemens in what is now modern day Northern Spain.
Skipping past a few unknowns for us - The Friendly Beasts and Between the Ox and the Grey Donkey - we get to one we all know: Good Christian Men, Rejoice. Heinrich Seuse is typically credited as the song’s author. According to German folklore, Seuse wrote the song sometime in 1328 after he heard the angels sing the words and joined them in a dance of worship.
There's O Come, All Ye Faithful - music in mid-18th century and words likely 13th century, and the poignant Good King Wenceslas - about the humble king from Bohemia, based on a 13th century carol, created in 1853.
The New Classical FM at 96.3 FM is playing popular classical Christmas music. Vivaldi'sWinter certainly makes driving through the snow go well. And then threw"s Handel's Messiah, or Bach's Christmas Oratorio. There are so many centuries worth of wonderful music. In comparison, who would like a dose of retail store Christmas music this year?
