12 Christian Christmas Songs and Hymns for Kids

Religious Christmas Songs for Kids.

Christmas carols often derive from christian hymns, which in turn were written in various languages (Latin included) and then popularized in English in the English-speaking world.

Many of the following christian Christmas songs started off as simple compositions, but when they acquired their religious character, it’s hard to imagine Christmas without any of them. These are usually the kids’ favorite ones.

Table of Contents

  1. The Huron Carol (Twas in the Moon of Wintertime)
  2. God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
  3. O Holy Night (Cantique de Noël)
  4. Go Tell it on the Mountain
  5. O Little town of Bethlehem
  6. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
  7. Joy to the World
  8. The First Noel
  9. We Three Kings (of Orient Are)
  10. What Child is This? (Greensleeves)
  11. Adeste fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful)
  12. Silent Night
  13. Christmas Music for Kids on Spotify
  14. Christmas Music for Kids Playlist on YouTube

1.

The Huron Carol (Twas in the Moon of Wintertime)

This Canadian hymn is the oldest Christmas song in the country.

“The Huron Carol” lyrics

‘Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering hunters heard the hymn,
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found;
A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round
But as the hunter braves drew nigh the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free, O seed of Manitou
The holy Child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty peace and joy.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

2.

God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

This traditional carol from England was published in 1833.

“God rest you Merry, Gentlemen”  lyrics

1. God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

2. From God our heavenly Father
A blessed angel came,
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

3. The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethlehem straightway,
This blessed Babe to find:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

4. But when to Bethlehem they came,
Whereat this Infant lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling,
Unto the Lord did pray:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

5. Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

3.

O Holy Night (Cantique de Noël)

Placide Cappeau wrote the poem “Minuit, chrétiens” (Midnight, Christians), and Adolphe Adam composed the music for it in 1847.

“O Holy Night”  lyrics

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, divine, O night, holy night!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
O night, divine, O night, holy night!

4.

Go Tell it on the Mountain

Go Tell it on the Mountain Karaoke ...
Go Tell it on the Mountain Karaoke - Christmas Video with Lyrics

“Go tell it to the mountain” is an African-American spiritual Christmas song dating from the 19th century.

“Go tell it on the mountain”  lyrics (English)

Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born

While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens there shown a holy light

Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born

The shepherds feared and trembled when low above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Saviour’s birth

Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born

5.

O Little town of Bethlehem

The lyrics to this Christmas hymn were written by the priest Phillips Brooks who was inspired by the city of Bethlehem in 1865.

“O Little town of Bethlehem”  lyrics

1. O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

2. For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God, the King,
And peace to men on earth.

3. How silently, how silently,
The wondrous Gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

4. O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sins and enter in,
Be born to us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell:
Oh, come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

6.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

This Christmas classic first appeared in 1739 in the collection Hymns and Sacred Poems

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”  lyrics

Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

7.

Joy to the World

“Joy to the world” is a popular American Christmas song and the most-published Christmas hymn in North America.

“Joy to the World” lyrics

1. Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

2. Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

4. He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

8.

The First Noel

“The First Noel” (also known as “The First Noël” and “The First Nowell”) is a traditional classical English carol, most likely from the 18th century, although possibly earlier.

“The First Noel” lyrics

1. The first Nowell the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep:
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

2. They looked up and saw a star,
Shining in the east, beyond them far:
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

3. And by the light of that same star,
Three Wise Men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star whersoever it went
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

4. This star drew nigh to the north-west;
O’er Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

5. Then entered in those Wise Men three,
Fell reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

6. Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made heaven and earth of nought,
And with his blood mankind hath bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

9.

We Three Kings (of Orient Are)

“We Three Kings”, also known as “We Three Kings of Orient Are” or “The Quest of the Magi”, is a Christmas carol written by the Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr.

“We three kings” lyrics

1. We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

2. Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

3. Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

4. Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

5. Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav’n replies

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

10.

What Child is This? (Greensleeves)

“What Child Is This?” is a popular Christmas carol based on the melody of the traditional tune “Greensleeves”. It was written in 1865 by English writer William Chatterton Dix.

“What child is this?” lyrics

1. What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping,
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary!

2. Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce him through,
The Cross be borne for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word Made Flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary!

3. So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
Come, peasant, king, to own Him!
The King of Kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him!

Raise, raise the song on high!
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy! joy! for Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary!

11.

Adeste fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful)

A small mystery surrounds the writing credits of this Christmas Carol. It is usually attributed to John Francis Wade (1711 – 1786), an English hymnist and music copyist.

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” Lyrics

1. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore Him, (3x)
Christ the Lord.

2. O Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above.
Glory to God in the highest.
O come, let us adore Him, (3x)
Christ the Lord.

3. O Hail, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning.
Jesus, to thee be glory given.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.
O come, let us adore Him, (3x)
Christ the Lord.

12.

Silent Night

This popular Austrian carol was composed in 1818 in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr.

Silent night” Lyrics (English)

1. Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

2. Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

3. Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

You can find more resources (sheet music, teaching ideas) and information about these hymns and Christmas songs by clicking on the following post thumbnails.

The Huron Carol (Twas in the Moon of Wintertime)

The Huron Carol (Twas in the Moon of Wintertime)


God Rest You Merry Gentlemen

God Rest You Merry Gentlemen


O Holy Night (Cantique de Noël)

O Holy Night (Cantique de Noël)


Go Tell it on the Mountain

Go Tell it on the Mountain


O Little town of Bethlehem

O Little town of Bethlehem


Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing


Joy to the World

Joy to the World


The First Noel

The First Noel


We Three Kings (of Orient Are)

We Three Kings (of Orient Are)


What Child is This? (Greensleeves)

What Child is This? (Greensleeves)


Adeste fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful)

Adeste fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful)


Silent Night – A Christmas Song to Enchant You

Silent Night - A Christmas Song to Enchant You


Christmas Music for Kids on Spotify

Connected to Spotify? Here’s a playlist you can listen on repeat at Christmas!

Christmas Music for Kids Playlist on YouTube

Going for that Christmas karaoke with kids? Here’s the playlist for you.

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