History of Caroling

• passed down from generation to generation

• ​written in Latin in the 4th and 5th centuries

• ​commemorating the nativity, or birth of Jesus Christ

• ​NOT associated with Christmas until the 13th century

​Poor citizens would have to sing for their super.

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​Or it's possible they they sang door-to-door because...

​They weren't allowed to perform in churches.

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​Or it developed from pagan customs...

​When around the 16th century, Anglo-Saxon peasants went wassailing, requesting nourishment from their superiors in exchange for singing good tidings.

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A thick, hot spiced beverage that helped keep the traveling well-wishers warm

​It was just as much of a holiday tradition as eggnog is in modern times

​With children often going door-to-door, it became more associated with Christmas and caroling

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• ​​Oliver Cromwell had banned Christmas celebrations in England from 1649 to 1660

• ​Took until the 19th century

• ​The joyful, expressive hymns were well-received in the Victorian Era.

Christmas carols were named after Carol Poles, a little English girl who supposedly went missing in London during the holiday season in the late 19th century.

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​People supposedly searched for her by going door-to-door, singing to declare their good intentions.

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​Although it may be a nice story, it has no factual basis.