What would Christmas be like if we weren’t singing carols? Apparently the origin of this kind of folk song at this time of year is found back in medieval Europe in pagan songs sung at the winter solstice celebration, as people danced around stone circles. The word “carol” comes from the old French word “carole,” which meant a popular circle dance accompanied by singing. Carols of this kind used to be written and sung during all four of seasons of the year. There used to be May carols and harvest carols, but it is only the tradition of singing them at Christmas which has survived in the manner with which we’re familiar.
As most of us know, even Christmas itself as a religious celebration originated in the ancient Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia, which honored the agricultural god Saturn. This took place during the winter solstice. This is also the source of many of the traditions we now associate with Christmas, things like wreaths, candles, feasting, and gift giving. It was only later that carols began to be sing in connection with Christian remembrances of Jesus’ birth, which was actually more likely to have occurred in the spring rather in winter.