Carolling

In Bohemia, the origins of carolling and carols can be traced back to pre-Hussite times. The popular carol "Christ the Lord is Born" originated from the Latin hymn Ave hierarchie coelestis (Hail, priests of heaven).

In Czech the words for carol (koleda) or carolling (koledování) have several meanings:
A Christmas carol, an expression denoting a visit to all the houses - carolling, a gift or treat that a caroller receives for singing or reciting a poem an earlier term for the period from Christmas Eve to New Year's Eve or the Twelfth night.

The origin of the word koleda is very unclear - one of the many sources claims that it probably has its roots in the Latin word Calendae, referring to the first days of January, when the solstice was celebrated. This word was also used for the first day of each month, when pagan priests went around the houses with idols and Christian priests carried out baptisms and blessings, for which they received gifts. It is possible to trace the development of the word kalendy - kolenda - koleda.

Another view sees koleda as a Christmas carol. In the Middle Ages they were spread throughout Europe by wandering disciples, often performing in popular Christmas plays. However, music with a Christmas theme has evolved since ancient times and has gone through various phases - Latin chants, multi-part songs, instrumental music, pastoral masses, processions with a crib. In Bohemia, the origins of carolling and carols can be traced back to pre-Hussite times. The popular carol "Christ the Lord is Born " originated from the Latin spiritual Ave hierarchie coelestis (Hail, priests of heaven).

The German carol Silent Night is also very well known and widely sung. It was composed by the Austrian Franz Xaver Gruber and the words were written by the parish priest from Oberndorf Josef Mohr (at a mere 26 years of age). This song was first heard at Christmas 1818.