O, Christmas Tree

The decorated fir tree was first introduced in Germany about the time of Martin Luther.  The German words "O Tannenbaum" were set to a tune which may be one of the oldest tunes in existence.  A tannenbaum is a fir tree.  It was so well known and loved in America that the tune was used during the Civil War as "Maryland, My Maryland." The modern lyrics were written in 1824, by the Leipzig organist, teacher and composer Ernst Anschütz.  The lyrics do not actually refer to Christmas, or describe a decorated Christmas tree. Instead, they refer to the fir's evergreen qualities as a symbol of constancy and faithfulness.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

One of the most famous of Protestant hymn writers, Charles Wesley, was inspired to write this beautiful carol as he walked to church one Christmas morning in 1730 and heard the pealing of the bells.  An organist at Waltham Abbey later set it to this music Mendelssohn had composed for a festival at Leipzig in 1840.  It was finally published in 1856, although the composer once declared that such happy music would never fit sacred words.  The current words are the work of many alterations over the years.