While this hymn is classed in the traditional category, it features a tune and words by men who were hardly anonymous: the famous George Frideric Handel wrote the melody (Christmas) and the rather obscure Irish poet Nahum Tate penned the words. But Tate originally composed the text for another melody and it was only in 1812 that his poem was united in a setting with the Handel theme. Other tunes were also used for Tate's text, including one by Gottfried Wilhelm Fink (1842). As one might surmise, there have been numerous, mostly successful arrangements of the Tate/Handel version. The more commonly heard renditions are worthy, Handel's glorious melody in each imparting a mixture of pomp and religious fervency to the celebration of Christmas. While there is a feeling of joy in the music, too, it is less energetic in the moderate pacing and less vibrant in its worshipful sense. The text speaks of the birth of Christ and of peace and goodwill toward men. For those with an interest in Christmas vocal music, this attractive hymn will have strong appeal. ~ Robert Cummings, All Music Guide
