【正文】 ional Christmas carol.By the thirteenth century, in France, Germany, and particularly, Italy, under the influence of Francis of Asissi, a strong tradition of popular Christmas songs in the native language developed.[31] Christmas carols in English first appear in a 1426 work of John Awdlay, a Shropshire chaplain, who lists twentyfive caroles of Cristemas, probably sung by groups of wassailers, who went from house to house.[32] The songs we know specifically as carols were originally munal folk songs sung during celebrations such as harvest tide as well as Christmas. It was only later that carols began to be sung in church. Traditionally, carols have often been based on medieval chord patterns, and it is this that gives them their uniquely characteristic musical sound. Some carols like Personent hodie, Good King Wenceslas, and The Holly and the Ivy can be traced directly back to the Middle Ages. They are among the oldest musical positions still regularly sung. Adeste Fidelis (O Come all ye faithful) appears in its current form in the mid 18th century, although the words may have originated in the thirteenth century.Singing of carols initially suffered a decline in popularity after the Protestant Reformation in northern Europe, although some Reformers, like Martin Luther, wrote carols and encouraged their use in worship. Carols largely survived in rural munities until the revival of interest in popular songs in the 19th century. The 18th century English reformer Charles Wesley understood the importance of music to worship. In addition to setting many psalms to melodies, which were influential in the Great Awakening in the United States, he wrote texts for at least three Christmas carols. The best known was originally entitled Hark! How All the Welkin Rings, later renamed Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.[33] Felix Mendelssohn wrote a melody adapted to fit Wesley39。s words. In Austria in 1818 Mohr and Gruber made a major addition to the genre when they posed Silent Night for the St. Nicholas Church, Oberndorf. William B. Sandys Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (1833), contained the first appearance in print of many nowclassic English carols, and contributed to the midVictorian revival of the festival.[34]Completely secular Christmas seasonal songs emerged in the late eighteenth century. Deck The Halls dates from 1784, and the American, Jingle Bells was copyrighted in 1857. In the 19th and 20th century, African American spirituals and songs about Christmas, based in their tradition of spirituals, became more widely known. An increasing number of seasonal holidays songs were mercially produced in the twentieth century, including jazz and blues variations. In addition, there was a revival of interest in early music, from groups singing folk music, such as The Revels, to performers of early medieval and classical music.CardsMain article: Christmas cardA Christmas card from 1870Christmas cards are illustrated messages of greeting usually exchanged between friends and family members during the weeks preceding Christmas Day. The custom has bee popular among a wide crosssection of people, including nonChristians, in Western society and in Asia. The traditional greeting reads wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, much like that of the first mercial Christmas card, produced by Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843. However there are innumerable variations of this formula, many cards expressing a more religious sentiment, or containing a poem, prayer or Biblical verse。 while others distance themselves from religion with an allinclusive Season39。s greetings.Christmas cards are purchased in considerable quantities, and feature artwork, mercially designed and relevant to the season. The content of the design might relate directly to the Christmas narrative with depictions of the Nativity of Jesus, or Christian symbols such as the Star of Bethlehem, or a white dove which can represent both the Holy Spirit and Peace on Earth. Other Christmas cards are more secular and can depict Christmas traditions, mythical figures such as Santa Claus, objects directly associated with Christmas such as candles, holly and baubles, or a variety of images associated with the season, such as Christmastime activities, snow scenes and the wildlife of the northern winter. There are also humorous cards and genres depicting nostalgic scenes of the past such as crinolined shoppers in idealized 19th century streetscapes.StampsMain article: Christmas stampA number of nations have issued memorative stamps at Christmastime. Postal customers will often use these stamps to mail Christmas cards, and they are popular with philatelists. These stamps are regular postage stamps, unlike Christmas seals, and are valid for postage yearround. They usually go on sale some time between early October and early December, and are printed in considerable quantities.In 1898 a Canadian stamp was issued to mark the inauguration of the Imperial Penny Postage rate. The stamp features a map of the globe and bears an inscription XMAS 1898 at the bottom. In 1937, Austria issued two Christmas greeting stamps featuring a rose and the signs of the zodiac. In 1939, Brazil issued four semipostal stamps with designs featuring the three kings and a star of Bethlehem, an angel and child, the Southern Cross and a child, and a mother and child.Both the US Postal Service and the Royal Mail regularly issue Christmasthemed stamps each year.Santa Claus and other bringers of giftsMain articles: Santa Claus and Father ChristmasSinterklaas or Saint Nicholas, considered by many to be the original Santa Claus.Christmas has for many centuries been a time for the giving and exchanging of gifts, particularly between friends and family members. A number of figures of both Christian and mythical origin have been associated with Christmas and the seasonal giving of gifts. Among these are Father Christmas, also known as Santa Claus