O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Words and Music : Traditional. 9th Century

Translation : John Mason Neale, 1851

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sing;

Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,

and shall call his name Immanu-el.

                        ISAIAH 7:14 Kjv

The roots of this hymn are quite ancient, dating back to some of the  earliest known liturgies - somewhere around the 9th century.                

Originally, this song was "plainsong" or Gregorian chant, and monks sang it a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment).

During medieval times, chants were a primary form of musical expression, and important part of all religious services. Monks sang a special series of chants during the Christmas period. This chant, known as the Magnificat, was sung between December 17 and December 23, in honor of the upcoming Nativity. On each night, a different monk was chosen to sing that day's portion of the chant, which took place at canonical hour of vespers. the refrain that we sing today was added later.

The English clergyman Jon Mason Neale translated the hymn into English in 1851. Active in Church affairs, Neale pursued a lifelong interest in church architecture and, despite poor health, worked extensively among the needy. He translated and adapted more than 400 hymns, including Good King Wenceslas (which is not Christmas carol at all, but a song pertaining to St. Stephen's Day, December 26)