Carol

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Music is the basis of so much joy and camaraderie at this time of year. Of course I mean the Christmas Carols which are sung, on and off, for at least a month before the holiday. These days, many hear them in stores while trying to buy presents or even just to get their groceries.

The origins of the carols is fascinating. The first that they know of are ancient pagan winter solstice songs. The first Christmas songs appeared within a few years of the Council of Nicaea in Rome in the same city (and the two are perhaps not unrelated). Most were sung in Latin, such as Veni redemptor gentium.

It wasn't until the 12th Century that a Parisian monk called Adam of St Victor used what were popular songs at the time to create what would be easier to identify as carols. One hundred years later, in Italy, Germany, and France, more local language carols were developed. The first English carol was written in Shropshire by John Awdlay who wrote or translated 25 songs by 1426.

1582 saw Latin song published, including early forms of "Christ was born on Christmas Day", "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" and "Good King Wenceslas". In 1833 William Sandys published a collection called "Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern". It featured songs such as "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen", "The First Noel", "I Saw Three Ships" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". In the later part of the 1800's and the early 1900's several carol books were published, leading to an enthusiastic acceptance, particularly in Victorian Britain. In 1961 "Carols for Choirs" was published. One of the most popular carol books in the English-speaking world. It expanded into a 5 volume set and is still used to this day.

Today, large gatherings of people occur in a huge number of towns and cities every year. From early December, right up to Christmas Eve. Some are broadcast live on TV or recorded. Some are streamed live online. They can foster a wonderful cheer for this season.

Holidays Include:

☆ Diwali/Deepavali - Hindu holiday of Light
☆ Bodhi Day - Buddhist holiday celebrating enlightenment
☆ First Sunday of Advent - Christian new Liturgical year
☆ Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Catholic celebration of Marys conception
☆ First Day of Hanukkah - Jewish Festival of Light begins
☆ Last day of Hanukkah - Jewish Festival of Light ends 8 days later
☆ St. Nicholas Day - Catholic celebration of St Nicholas, the precursor for Santa
☆ Saturnalia - Ancient Roman festival still celebrated today
☆ Winter Solstice/Yule (Northern Hemisphere) - Pagan celebration of the longest night of the year
☆ Summer Solstice/Litha (Southern Hemisphere) - Pagan celebration of the longest day of the year
☆ Soyal - Zuni and Hopi peoples winter solstice celebration
☆ Winter Solstice around the World
☆ Pancha Ganapati - Hindu celebration of Lord Ganesha
☆ Soyal - Zuni and Hopi peoples winter solstice celebration
☆ Christmas Eve - Christian observance the day before Christ's birth
☆ Christmas Day - Christian celebration of Jesus' birth
☆ Boxing Day - Commonwealth countries shopping
☆ Koliada - A Slavic mix of Pagan and Christmas traditions
☆ Kwanzaa - an African American holiday celebrating culture
☆ Hogmanay - Scottish New Years Eve
☆ Omisoka - Japanese celebration of New Year
☆ New Year's Eve - Celebrating the New Year of the commonly used Gregorian calendar