This time of year, Christmas music fills the air. Have you ever wondered what makes Christmas music so iconic, and how we have gotten to this point?
Christmas music originally started as religious music, but later changed into carols, rock and roll novelty songs, covers and remixes, and then to pop tracks. Starting in 336 AD, the first Christmas song is about the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Written by Saint Hilary of Poitiers, “Jesus Refulsit Omnium” was the first known Christmas song. Now, most Christmas songs are about snow, love, and the season.
Twentieth century Christmas music included a big shift to non-religious themes. The first widely recognized Christmas song to not mention religion was “Jingle Bells,” a classic melody by James Lord Pierpoint in 1857. Since then, Christmas songs are all about capturing the joy, warmth, and love in the air during the holidays.
For many people, the roots of Christmas music lie in sacred and traditional carols such as “Silent Night” or “O Holy Night.“ These songs, often associated with church services or community gatherings, capture the great respect and spiritual joy of the holidays. Their simple melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and catchy rhymes have made them iconic favorites. The timeless songs are often centerpieces of holiday celebrations, even though some are hundreds of years old. Most songs are strongly tied to the religious core of Christmas and are often performed at candle lightings at church services or sung by choirs. They foster a feeling of unity, reminding the listeners of deeper feelings during the holiday season—like love, hope, and faith.
Aside from religious music, lot’s of older Christmas music involves love or heartbreak, and can bring up warm memories for people who grew up listening to those songs. For example, Winnie Frezel ’28 said, “I like ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham because it’s, like, nostalgic sounding and as soon as I hear it I immediately know what song it is.” For many, these songs aren’t just catchy rhymes—they are reminders of traditions, family, and the magical holiday seasons that have passed.
Jumping ahead to today, the holiday music genre has become more diverse than ever. Modern artists like Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, and Michael Bublé have put their own twists on how Christmas music is performed. Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas Is You” is a world renowned song and has proven that new music can have the same magic effects as old music. Laufey, a new artist in the jazz-pop genre, just recently released a cover of “Santa Baby” that has gone viral. Her jazzy, smooth, and intimate voice makes the song flow and sound effortless. Listeners love this because of its cozy yet nostalgic feel. Her intimacy makes it feel like she is guiding the song to you, capturing the appeal of warmth and love during the holiday season. Claudia Kraybill ’28 said, “Right now my favorite is ‘Santa Baby’ by Laufey because she was able to do a cover that incorporated her voice and style into the song.” Kraybill also added, “It makes me think of spending Christmas Eve with my family.” To countless listeners this cover becomes a soundtrack to cherished memories and simple comfort during the holidays.
Laufey’s rendition of “Santa Baby” has sparked conversations about what makes music during the holiday season so special. Emery Davis ’28 says “One of my favorite newer Christmas songs is Christmas Tree Farm by Taylor Swift…It reminds me of celebrating the holidays and being with my family” For Davis, this song frames the joy and excitement of the season and reminds her of the laughter and the light of being around people she loves. These newer Christmas songs bring an uplifting joy and pop feeling to people when listening. They embrace how the season brings connections that people cherish through the years through music.
To add on, social media has made a big impact on music and its spread. Ariana Grande’s top hit “Santa Tell Me” and Penatonix’s twist of acapella on Christmas music has spread through trends, posts, and shares. Christmas playlists now include songs from indie folk to trial covers and make the holidays enjoyable and diverse. Platforms like Tiktok have made holiday music burst into recurring trends over the years. People make up dances, memes, trends, and challenges that spike the song into virality. However, social media also tends to bring older songs back into the loop. It only takes one person for something to go viral on the internet, and that can give old songs a second life.
The growth in Christmas tunes highlights creativity and collaboration. Artists from totally opposite genres have come together to create holiday season mashups that blend music styles and remind people of the festive and warm holiday season. Collaborations like Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” and Kelly Clarkson and Brett Eldredges “Under the Mistletoe” shows that artists can carry on traditions and bring energy to the table, satisfying the audience and guaranteeing that the spirit will stay bright for years to come.
Christmas music has come so far over time, from religious beginnings to complex rhythms we know today. If it’s nostalgic or a modern flame written by pop artists it continues to capture the warmth and magic in the air during the holiday months. Artists construct new life into old time songs and create imaginative covers that new generations can uncover. Mainly, Christmas music continues to tie together family traditions, sweet feelings, and core memories, all while continuing to build new stories for future generations to hear about and pass on.
