Well, 'Away in a Manger' has a somewhat mysterious origin. Some say it was written by Martin Luther for his children, but there's also some debate about that. However, it has been a favorite among children and adults alike during Christmas. It paints a very tender picture of the baby Jesus in the manger.
For 'Joy to the World', Isaac Watts wrote the lyrics in the 18th century. He was inspired by Psalm 98 in the Bible. The hymn is a jubilant celebration of the coming of the Messiah, and it has become a very popular Christmas hymn.
Take 'It Came Upon the Midnight Clear'. The lyrics were written by Edmund Sears. It was written during a time of social unrest in the United States. The hymn's message of peace and hope during the Christmas season has made it endure through the years. It reminds us that even in difficult times, the message of Christmas can bring comfort.
One well - known religious Christmas hymn story is that of 'Silent Night'. It was first performed in a small Austrian church on Christmas Eve in 1818. The organ was broken, so the priest Joseph Mohr and the schoolteacher Franz Xaver Gruber quickly composed a song for guitar accompaniment. It has since spread around the world and become a beloved Christmas hymn, often sung by candlelight in churches during Christmas services.
Many Christmas spooky stories have their roots in the melding of different cultural beliefs. As Christmas became a more widespread holiday, different cultures' superstitions and tales got mixed in. For example, the story of a possessed Christmas present could be related to beliefs in cursed objects in some cultures. Also, the idea of spirits being more active during the Christmas season might come from the thought that it's a time when the veil between the living and the dead is thinner, similar to beliefs in some Celtic and Scandinavian cultures.
Well, 'Good King Wenceslas' is based on the story of Saint Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia. He was known for his piety and kindness. The carol tells of his good deeds on a cold winter's day. As for 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear', it was written by Edmund Sears, inspired by the idea of peace on earth as described in the Bible during the Christmas story.
The Bloody Mary story has various origins. Some believe it started as a superstition about a woman named Mary who was either a witch or a victim of a cruel death. People would say her name three times in a mirror to summon her. It might also have roots in old pagan rituals related to divination using mirrors.
In Norse mythology, there is the story of the creation of the world from the body of the giant Ymir. Odin and his brothers kill Ymir and use his body parts to create the world, which is a very interesting ancient origins story full of vivid and wild imagery.
Well, for 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing', it has an interesting origin. The lyrics were written by Charles Wesley, and it was later set to a different tune. The words beautifully describe the announcement of Jesus' birth by the angels. It has been a staple in Christmas services for a long time, evolving over the years to the version we know today.
The origin of the Christmas Pickle story is somewhat unclear. Some believe it was brought over by German immigrants to the United States. It might have started as a way to keep children interested in the Christmas tree and add an element of surprise. In Germany, pickles were a common food item, and it made sense to incorporate it into a Christmas tradition in a fun way.
For the haunted hospital, it could be due to the fact that hospitals are places where life and death occur frequently. When the hospital was abandoned, the memories and perhaps some unexplained events during its operation made people start to believe it was haunted. People's fear of the unknown and the morbidity associated with hospitals contribute to the creation and spread of these ghost stories.
Take La Llorona again. Its origin can be traced back to Mexican and Central American cultures. It was a cautionary tale told to children to make them behave. The story was passed down through generations orally, and over time, it became a well - known ghost story across different Hispanic regions.
Take the Ghost of Borley Rectory. It was known as the most haunted house in England. The stories started with strange noises, apparitions seen by the residents, and objects moving on their own. The pictures that emerged were often blurry, but some claimed they showed ghosts. It all began with the various people who lived there over the years reporting these strange happenings.