The carols of Christmas

You know it’s the start of the Christmas season when you hear Christmas carols being played everywhere. In the past, carols were only played over the airwaves during the start of December; and Christmas caroling (also known as wassailing in olden times, in which groups of singers travel from house to house, singing carols for which they are rewarded with gifts, money or food), only commence during the start of Misa del Gallo. Today, because of too much commercialization, Christmas carols can now be heard being played over the airwaves even as early as September!

The tradition of Christmas carols goes as far back as the 13th century and were first sung in Europe. The word “carol” or “carole” is a medieval word that actually means “dance” or “a song of praise and joy”. Carols were originally communal songs meant for celebrations like harvest tide as well as Christmas. Event-ually, carols began to be sung in churches, and to be associated specifically with Christmas. As time passed, carols suffered a decline in popularity and almost disappeared entirely. A revival of interest during the 19th century, however, brought carols back to prominence. Now, the celebration of Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without the joyous and heavenly sound of carols filling the air.

Traditionally, carols have often been based on medieval chord patterns, and it is this characteristic that gives them their unique musical sound. During the 14th century, carols became a popular religious song form with its themes usually dealing with saints, the Christ child or the Virgin Mary. By the 15th century, carols were written and elaborately arranged and began to be considered also as art music. However, it is said that the birthplace of the true Christmas carol was Italy. It was St. Francis of Assisi who was the first to introduce the joyous carol spirit, when he wrote a beautiful Christmas hymn in Latin, in the 13th century. The carol quickly spread all over Europe.

Here in the Philippines, carols have become an important part of the Filipino Christmas tradition. Although we have inherited this practice from our foreign forefathers, caroling has been adapted to fit the nature and personality of our people. The celebration of Christmas in the Philippines is one of the longest and merriest in the world. Together with the Misa del Gallo, the Noche Buena, and the parol; caroling completes the warm and festive atmosphere of Christmas in the Philippines. Another feast that is commemorated during the Christmas season is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, which should rightfully be dedicated to the streetchildren.

We have many beautiful Christmas carols like “Pasko Na Naman”, “Sa May Bahay Ang Aming Bati”, but one of my all-time favorite Christmas carols is the one composed by National Artist for Music and Literature Levi Celerio, entitled “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit”. It was beautifully arranged and has very meaningful lyrics. The song talks about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; and the love and caring that we should give one another even if it is not Christmas time. Indeed, Christmas should always be about true devotion to faith and family. This, perhaps, is what sets us Filipinos apart; and what makes Christmas in the Philippines so endearing.