New Christmas Hymns Emerge: A Global Hymnbook Expands
In 2025, the world of Christmas carols is anything but static. This year, six new Christmas-specific hymns have been added to “Hymns — For Home and Church,” the global hymnbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, marking a significant moment for both tradition and innovation. These songs—“He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child,” “What Child Is This?”, “Star Bright,” “Still, Still, Still,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” and “Little Baby in a Manger”—offer fresh perspectives on the Nativity, drawing from different cultures and musical legacies.
“We rejoice in remembering our Savior, Jesus Christ,” the First Presidency declared in their 2025 Christmas message, framing the release of these hymns as both a spiritual and communal milestone. Some of these carols, like “He Is Born, the Divine Christ Child” and “Still, Still, Still,” carry centuries-old European roots. The former, originally “Il est né le divin Enfant,” is one of France’s most beloved Christmas carols, now finding renewed life in English-speaking congregations. “Still, Still, Still,” an Austrian folk song, captures a gentle, lullaby-like stillness, evoking images of Mary cradling the newborn Jesus amid Salzburg’s snowy mountains.
Other hymns bridge traditions: “What Child Is This?”—set to the haunting melody of “Greensleeves”—was penned by William Chatterton Dix in 1867 and harmonized by John Stainer. Its enduring popularity speaks to its ability to connect listeners across generations and denominations.
Notably, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” stands out for its roots in African American spirituals. Originating during the era of slavery in the United States, its joyful refrain has been passed down and reimagined by countless voices, including educators John W. Work II and III. The inclusion of this carol in the LDS hymnbook recognizes not just the universality of the Christmas story, but also the diverse ways communities have celebrated it.
Finally, “Little Baby in a Manger” reflects a contemporary, personal approach. Composed by Traci Law while living in South Korea, the song was inspired by her experience as a young mother. Law wanted to write something Mary could sing to her baby—an intimate, maternal perspective that broadens the emotional landscape of Christmas music.
Marian Advent Carols: Honoring Mary in Song
Meanwhile, across the United States, Marian devotion is flourishing through new carols and prayer services. The Benedict XVI Institute in San Francisco has, for three years, hosted a Very Marian Advent Prayer Service, inviting Catholics to “wait with Mary” during the final weeks before Christmas. This event, modeled on the lessons and carols format, celebrates not only the anticipation of Christ’s birth but also the “last difficult month of pregnancy” for the Blessed Mother.
Each year, the Institute commissions new sacred music, aiming to fill a gap left by decades without fresh Christmas or Advent carols. In 2025, two new carols were created in honor of the 250th anniversary of San Francisco’s founding: one honoring St. Francis of Assisi—creator of the first Nativity crèche—and another for the Blessed Mother. Father Dwight Longenecker wrote the lyrics, paired with arrangements by William J. Fritz, blending historical reverence with musical accessibility. Most compositions are designed for parish choirs and are shared freely during the season.
The reach of these Marian carols continues to expand. Services this December will be held in San Francisco and Oakland, with broadcasts on EWTN. Parishes and Protestant congregations from South Dakota to California, and from Virginia to Minnesota, have requested the music, demonstrating a hunger for new expressions of faith and celebration. The program includes hymns such as “Our Lady’s Lullaby,” “St. Francis’s Crèche,” and “Chesterton’s Carol,” reflecting a broad tapestry of influences—G.K. Chesterton’s poetry, St. Francis’s spiritual legacy, and modern composers like Frank La Rocca and Mina Pariseau.
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, the driving force behind the initiative, expressed gratitude for the artists and their contributions, noting how a simple idea has grown into a nationwide movement of sacred music. The events are open to all, both locally and remotely, further democratizing the experience of Advent and Christmas worship.
Broadway Meets Christmas: Jeremy Jordan’s Holiday Performance
While new hymns and Marian traditions shape religious observance, popular culture brings its own flair to the season. On December 6, Broadway star Jeremy Jordan joined performing arts students at Brigham Young University-Idaho for the annual “A BYU-Idaho Christmas” concert. Jordan, renowned for his dynamic stage presence and powerhouse vocals, brought the spirit of Broadway to Rexburg’s biggest holiday event, blending beloved carols with theatrical favorites.
Jordan’s career spans hit musicals like Newsies and West Side Story, earning him multiple Tony nominations, including one in 2025 for his role in Floyd Collins. His versatility—across Broadway, television, and his own music—made him a fitting centerpiece for a night of festive music and showmanship. The concert promised an “unforgettable evening of holiday music and Broadway magic,” with tickets accessible to the local community.
This performance highlights another facet of Christmas carols: their ability to bridge sacred and secular, tradition and innovation. Whether in the concert hall or the church pew, these songs connect people, memories, and meaning in ways that transcend boundaries.
The Story Within the Carols: Renewal, Community, and Creativity
The story of Christmas carols in 2025 is one of renewal and inclusivity. Across faiths and cultures, new hymns and compositions are enriching the season, drawing on ancient traditions while embracing contemporary voices. From the global hymnbook’s diverse selections to the Marian Advent services and Broadway concerts, there is a clear hunger for music that not only commemorates the Nativity but also reflects the lived experiences of believers and communities.
As Valerie Schmalz of OSV News reports, the expansion of Marian carols is reaching new audiences, while Church News documents the integration of international and historical carols into the LDS repertoire. Meanwhile, events like BYU-Idaho’s Christmas concert, featured on the university’s website, show how the celebration of Christmas carols continues to evolve, engaging both tradition and contemporary artistry.
Assessment: The facts reveal a vibrant landscape for Christmas carols in 2025, where tradition and innovation walk hand in hand. The commissioning of new hymns, the embrace of Marian and multicultural expressions, and the blending of sacred and popular music reflect a season that is both deeply rooted and open to creative renewal. In a world often searching for connection, these carols serve not just as songs, but as bridges—uniting faith, art, and community across generations.