Like most people, by Thanksgiving, I find myself surrounded by Christmas music. Some find it suffocating and others find it delightful. These songs that we know all too well will always serve as a source of “comfort and joy” for me (even though I’m half Jewish). Although many complain that they are overplayed, it is important to realize the evolution of Christmas music according to the time period.
Christmas carols actually date back to a pre-Christian Europe in which pagan rituals involved dancing and singing on the Winter Solstice. With the arrival of Christianity came religious based songs, the oldest being "Jesus refulsit omnium" ("Jesus illuminates all"), penned in Latin following the first known celebration of Christmas, approximately 336 A.D. This was more of a hymn, and music specific to Christmas was not used in Catholic services until later on in the Holy Roman Empire.
By the 16th century, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” had been written, ringing the Christmas spirit throughout Europe. “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” was written in 1739 by Englishman Charles Wesley. The iconic “Silent Night” arrived in 1818, and “Jingle Bells” in 1847, and it was around this time that door-to-door caroling became popular in Western Europe, notably in England (think of Dickens!).
After centuries, many of these songs are still being recorded in numerous styles, with newer carols like “Let it Snow” from 1945, and Bing Crosby’s 1954 “White Christmas” taking on a less religious context. How have these songs stuck around for so long? For two reasons: they have developed with the times, and they stay true to the sole message of bringing people together for the common good during the winter season.
In terms of musical stylings, Christmas music went from European hymns to the old-school pop of Bing Crosby on the American front. His jazz-tinted pop was perfect for the 1940s-50s time period that his Christmas music rose to fame in--but there was even more changes to come.
Flash forward to the 1980's, when WHAM! Released the glam-pop “Last Christmas”, an instant classic. While these two examples are very specific to genres associated with those decades, the 2000s have proven to be a multifaceted front for a variety of genres, giving artists a platform to explore their take on Christmas music; this environment is just right for the jazzy Michael Bublé and Harry Connick Jr., Mariah Carey and Kelly Clarkson’s pop, José Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad”, and Pentatonix’s unique acapella take on a multitude of classics.
In a country as multicultural and religiously mixed as the U.S., it is constantly stated that the only reason why so many of these carols have survived for so long is because of the commercialization of Christmas. Obviously, in part, this is true. But the overarching reason is so much more than ad campaigns to sell the latest gadgets.
People of a variety of different faiths can still enjoy modern Christmas carols if they choose to. They express fond memories, comical holiday escapades, longing for loved ones who are either departed or simply live a long distance away, and the happiness that comes with helping others. Regardless, they unite people by common experience. Even though I’m a Goldberg by name, I am always ready to “deck the halls.”
