Christ By Highest Heaven Adored Quiz

Answer: Joy to the World

"Joy to the World" was first published by Isaac Watts in 1719, who used Psalm 98 for his inspiration. It is thought to have been written to glorify the second coming of Christ, however, it has become a mainstay during the Christmas season. The melody is believed to have been adapted from Handel's "Messiah".
Piero della Francesca painted "Deutsch: Geburt Christi" from 1460-1475.

Answer: Angels We have Heard on High

According to the Gospel of Luke, the shepherds, on their way to visit the newborn Christ, were encountered by angels. "Les Anges dans nos campagnes" is a traditional French carol whose author is unknown. The English version of the song was translated by James Chadwick, the Bishop of Hexham, in 1862.
Jan Van Eyke completed his "Ghent Altarpiece" in 1432. Notice that all of the angels don't seem to be happily singing!

Answer: God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

The melody to this traditional English carol, written in a minor key, was published in 1833 by William Sandys; although the original author is unknown, the earliest publication of the song was in 1760. It was used in 1843 by Charles Dickens in "A Christmas Carol".

Answer: Away in a Manger

It has been claimed that Martin Luther composed this well-loved hymn, however, the first two stanzas were first published in 1884 for the four hundred year celebration of Luther's birth. Some believe the song may have been written to celebrate Luther's four hundredth birthday, and credit was given to him to bring attention to the song.
Pictured is the site at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where Jesus was believed to have been born.

Answer: Silent Night

"Stille Nacht" was declared a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in March 2011. First performed at St. Nicholas church in Oberndorf, Austria, in 1818, the melody was written by a young priest named Joseph Mohr, and the lyrics are attributed to Franz Xaver Gruber, a schoolmaster and organist.

Answer: O Come, All Ye Faithful

The oldest manuscript that shows both the words and tune to "Adestes Fideles", "Cantus Diversi", was published by John Francis Wade and dates to 1751. Many other people from Handel to John IV of Portugal, however, have been credited with writing the hymn.
The painting used is called "Choir of Angels". Dating back to the late 1400's, the artist is unknown.

Answer: It Came upon the Midnight Clear

Edmund Sears, a church pastor in Massachusetts, wrote this poem in 1849. The melody, called "Carol" was written a year later by American Richard Storrs Willis, however, Englishman Arthur Sullivan wrote another melody, "Noel", in 1874.

Answer: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Phillips Brooks, an Episcopal priest from Philadelphia, was inspired to write this hymn while on a visit to Bethlehem in 1865. The melody was composed by Lewis Redner, the church organist.

Answer: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

Nahum Tate, England's Poet Lauraete, is credited with writing the words to this hymn sometime before 1700, when it first appeared in the supplement to the "New Version of the Psalms of David". The supplement contained sixteen works; "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" is the only one still sung today.

Answer: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

This popular carol first appeared in 1739 in a collection of hymns and poems by Charles Wesley. The lyrics were altered by George Whitefield, Wesley's co-worker, and the melody is credited to Felix Mendelssohn.