Christmas History

Christmas Legends

Silent Night

Christmas Tree

Christmas History 2

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains.
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous stains.

Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous songs prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be,
Which inspire your heav’nly song.

Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem, and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, our newborn King.

Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

Good King Wenceslas

Good King Wenceslas look’d out
On the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night,
Though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight,
Gath’ring winter fuel.

“Hither, page, and stand by me,
If you know’st it, telling;
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain;
Right against the forest fence,
By St. Agnes’ fountain.”

“Bring me flesh, and bring me wine,
Bring me pine logs hither;
Thou and I will see him dine,
When we bear them thither.”
Page and monarch forth they went,
Forth they went together,
Through the rude wind’s wild lament,
And the bitter weather.

“Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger;
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page,
Tread thou in them boldly;
Thou shalt find the winter’s rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.”

In his master’s steps he trod,
Where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod
Which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
Shall yourself find blessing.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’ angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King;

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored,
Christ, the everlasting lord,
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the favoured one.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th’ incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King;

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Son of righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He leaves His throne on high,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth;
Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King;

Come, Desire of nations come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believeing heart!

Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”

Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King;

Twelve Days of Christmas

1.On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
a partridge in a pear tree.

2. On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree.

3. On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
three French hens,
two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree.

4. On the forth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree.

5. On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree.

6. On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree.

7. On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree.

8. On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree.

9. On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree.

10. On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
ten lords a-leaping,
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree.

11. On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
eleven pipers piping,
ten lords a-leaping,
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree.

12. On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
twelve drummers drumming,
eleven pipers piping,
ten lords a-leaping,
nine ladies dancing,
eight maids a-milking,
seven swans a-swimming,
six geese a-laying,
five golden rings,
four calling birds,
three French hens,
two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree.

The First Noel

The first Noel, the angels did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay.
In fields where they lay
keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night
That was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up a saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

And by the light of that same star,
Three wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

The star drew nigh to the northwest,
O’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

Then enter’d in those wise men three
Full rev’rentley upon their knee
And offer’d there, in His presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heav’nly Lord;
That hath made Heav’n and earth of nought,
And with His blood mankind hath brought

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

It’s Beginning to Look Like Christmas

It’s beginning to look like Christmas,
Ev’rywhere you go,
Take a look in the five-and-ten,
glistening once again,
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.

It’s beginning to look like Christmas,
Toys in ev’ry store,
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly
that will be on your own front door.

A pair of hopalong boots
and a pistol that shoots
is the wish of Barney and Ben,
Dolls that will talk
and will go for a walk,
Is the hope of Janice and Jen,
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait
for school to start again.

It’s beginning to look like Christmas,
Ev’rywhere you go,
There’s a tree in the Grand Hotel,
One in the park as well,
The sturdy kind
that doesn’t mind the snow.

It’s beginning to look like Christmas,
Soon the bells will start, and the thing
That will make them ring is the carol that
You sing, right within your heart.

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing,

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns:
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks,
hills and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy,
No more let sin or sorrow grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found,

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.

Let it Snow!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful;
And since we have no place to go,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

It doesn’t show signs of stopping,
And I’ve brought some corn for popping;
The lights are turned say down low,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight,
How I’ll hate going out in the storm;
But if you’ll really hold me tight,
All the way home I’ll be warm.

The fire is slowly dying,
And, me dear, we’re still goodbying;
But as long as you love me so,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer
and Pracer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen,
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all…

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,
Had a very shiny nose,
And if you ever saw it,
You would even say it glows!

All of the other reindeer,
Used to laugh and call him names;
They wouldn’t let poor Rudolph,
Join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,
Santa came to say:
“Rudolph, with your nose so bright,
won’t you guide my sleigh tonight.”

Then how the reindeer loved him,
As they shouted out with glee:
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,
You’ll go down in history!”

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year!

Good things we bring
To you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas
And a Happy New Year!

Now bring us a figgy pudding,
Now bring us a figgy pudding,
Now bring us a figgy pudding,
And a cup of good cheer.

For we like figgy pudding,
For we like figgy pudding,
For we like figgy pudding,
And a cup of good cheer.

We won’t go until we get some,
We won’t go until we get some,
We won’t go until we get some,
So bring some out here.

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts, we traverse afar;
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

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O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to the perfect light.

Born a King of Bethlehem’s plain,
Gold I bring, to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

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Frankincense to offer have I,
Incense owns a Deity nigh,
Pray’r and praising, all men raising,
Worship Him, God most high.

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Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorr’wing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

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Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and sacrifice,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Earth to the heav’ns replies.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It came upon a midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold,
“Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heav’n’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness aly,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurl’d,
And still their heav’nly music floats
O’er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lonely plains
They bend on hov’ring wing.
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

O ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow:
Look now, for glad the golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hast’ning on,
By prophets seen of old.
When with the ever-circling years,
Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heav’n and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

“Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heav’n’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

I Saw Three Ships

I saw here ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
I saw here ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day, in the morning;

And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, in the morning;

The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there.
On Christmas Day, in the morning;

Then let us all rejoice amen,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Then let us all rejoice amen,
On Christmas Day, in the morning;

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow,
In a one-horse open sleigh,
O’er the fields we go,
Laughing all the way,
Bells on bobtail ring,
Making spirits bright;
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight!

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!

A day or two ago
I thought I’d make a ride,
And soon Miss Fannie Bright
Was seated by my side.

The horse was lean and lank,
Misfortune seem’d his lot,
He got into a drifted bank,
And then we got upsot.

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!

Now the ground is white,
Go it while you’re young
Take the girls tonight,
And sing this sleighing song.
Just get a bobtail nag,
Two forty for his speed,
Then hitch him to an open sleigh,
And, crack!, you’ll take the lead.

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh!

Silent Night

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from Heaven afar,
Heav’nly hosts sing ‘Alleluia,
Christ, the Saviour is born!
Christ, the Saviour is born!

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light,
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!

The sight of thee at Christmas-tide
Spreads hope and gladness far and wide.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message:

Thou dost proclaim the Saviour’s birth,
Goodwill to men and peace on earth.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou hast a wondrous message:

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem:
Come and behold Him
O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem:
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels:

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O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above;
In the highest:

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Yea, Lord, we greet Thee
Born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be glory giv’n:
World of the Father
now in flesh appearing:

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