For many hundreds of years, people in our northern culture have sung the same hymns during Advent and Christmas. The melodies have varied – with many local versions and folk tunes around the country – alongside several melodies that have become standardized and widely known. Yet the hymn texts have remained the same.

Regardless of one’s personal beliefs or relationship to the texts, or even musical preferences, many people experience a sense of community and belonging when these hymns are performed or sung together. Song often creates a powerful feeling of togetherness.