Christmas Carol Word Search Trivia Quiz

Answer: The First Noel

The words that make up 'The First Noel' can be found in the grid in the bottom row, first column, and on the bottom-left to top-right diagonal.

The title of 'The First Noel' is also sometimes written as 'The First Nowell' and is of somewhat unknown origin, although it may have come from the English county of Cornwall. It appears in books of carols from the early 19th century and is about the great star in the sky on Christmas night that was seen by both "certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay" as well as "Three Wise Men came from country far" along with their gifts of "gold and myrrh and frankincense". (The exact lyrics change depending on the version of the carol you are singing - these come from the 'New English Hymnal'.)

Answer: The Holly and the Ivy

Since there are two 'the's in 'The Holly and the Ivy', these can be found in the top row and the final column of the grid. 'Holly' makes up the third column, 'Ivy' is on the bottom row and 'and' is going down the first column.

'The Holly and the Ivy' is a traditional English carol, often described as a "folk carol". The modern music used for the song was first published in a book of carols by Cecil Sharp in 1911. It is an upbeat and cheerful carol that describes the features of the two Christmas plants alongside various points from Christianity about why Mary had the baby Jesus in the first place.

Answer: Carol of the Bells

'Carol' can be found on the second row of the grid, with the 'o' of 'carol' also acting as the 'o' of 'of'. 'The' and 'bells' can be found going up the second and final columns respectively.

'Carol of the Bells' is based on a Ukrainian folk song and is sung to music written by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914. The lyrics are by the American composer and choir master Peter Wilhousky (who had some Ukrainian heritage). The carol appeared on the soundtrack to the Christmas movie 'Home Alone' in 1990 and on a Christmas album by the country and pop music singer LeAnn Rimes in 2014.

Answer: Joy to the World

The words that make up the title of this carol can be found in the second column, final colum, bottom row and top-left to bottom-right diagonal of the grid.

'Joy to the World' was written in 1719 by the English minister and prolific hymn writer Isaac Watts. However, the version in popular use in the 21st century dates from the mid-19th century and uses an arrangement by the American composer Lowell Mason. The first line of the carol proclaims: "Joy to the World; The Lord is come".

Answer: Deck the Halls

'Deck' can be found going diagonally down to the left from the final column of the grid, 'the' is on the top row and 'halls' is on the main diagonal from the top-left corner.

'Deck the Halls' (also known as 'Deck the Hall') is an old traditional carol with a Welsh melody that probably dates back to the 16th century. Every other line of this cheery carol is "Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la" (with a varying number of 'las'). The main Christmas decoration that the carol suggests is "boughs of holly".

Answer: Silent Night

'Silent' runs diagonally from the bottom-left corner and 'Night' runs diagonally from the top-left corner.

'Silent Night' was originally written in German under the title 'Stille Nacht'. It was written and composed in 1818 in the small town of Obendorf, near Salzburg in Austria, by a local school teacher and priest for a performance in the local parish church. From humble beginnings it has become one of the most recognisable Christmas songs of all time, with famous versions including a 1935 rendition by Bing Crosby.

Answer: Away in a Manger

If you're still looking for all of the words to this carol in the grid, then try the second column for 'Away', the bottom row for 'in a' and the third row for 'Manger'.

'Away in a Manger' is a favourite song to be sung at children's Christmas carol concerts. Historically the lyrics have been attributed to the German Protestant reformer Martin Luther, but there is no actual evidence to back up this theory. The carol is sung to various different melodies, but the one used in the UK is 'Cradle Song' by William J. Kirkpatrick (an American composer) and the version that is popular in the USA is called 'Mueller' and is of uncertain origin.

Answer: Angels from the Realms of Glory

'Angels' can be found going down the final column, with 'from' in the next column to the left. 'The' is on the second row, 'Realms' goes diagonally from the top-left corner, 'of' is at the bottom of the first column, and 'Glory' goes diagonally, just underneath 'Realms'.

The lyrics of 'Angels from the Realms of Glory' were written by a Scottish poet named James Montgomery in the early 19th century. This is another carol that has been sung to a variety of tunes over the years and in different countries. In the USA it is usually paired with a tune known as 'Regent Square', whereas in the UK it is sung to (mostly) the same tune as another carol called 'Angels We Have Heard on High'.

Answer: We Three Kings of Orient Are

'We', 'Three', 'Kings' and 'of' can be found going up the sixth, fifth, second and sixth columns respectively. 'Orient' is on the bottom row and 'Are' is on the main diagonal from the bottom-left to top-right.

'We Three Kings of Orient Are' is also known by the shorter title of 'We Three Kings' (which is in the grid so accepted as an alternative answer, despite not matching the word count specified). It is also known by the alternative name 'Quest of the Magi' - but most of those words aren't in the grid. The carol was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in Pennsylvania in 1857. Its melody and words lend themselves to spoof versions and parodies such as:

"We three kings of Orient are
One in a taxi, one in a car
One on a scooter, beeping his hooter
Following from afar."

Answer: Ding Dong Merrily on High

'Ding' can be found on the top row of the grid, 'Dong' in the fourth column, 'Merrily' across the fifth row, 'on' at the start of the top row, and 'High' on a diagonal through the 'i' of 'Merrily'.

The tune to 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' probably dates back to the 16th century, but the carol itself was written in the early 20th century by an English composer (and campanologist) called George Ratcliffe Woodward. It features one of the longest syllables in any Christmas carol as the 'o' of "Gloria!" in the refrain is held for about 30 different notes over five bars...