Francis’ special talents was finding simple, uncomplicated ways to transmit the message of Christ and salvation in a way the common folk could relate to. He did this by adding religious lyrics to the popular melodies of his time. In the process, he invented a new musical genre; he created what we now know as the Christmas carol. The word carol, by the way, is derived from the French word caroler, meaning dancing around in a circle. Francis wrote a song called “Psalmus in Nativitate” for people to sing at Christmas. It was written in Latin so it could be sung during Mass, but had a popular melody. It was the first ever Christmas carol and led to the tradition of caroling that we all know and love today. Wandering minstrels sang Christmas carols during the Middle Ages as they traveled from community to community. Mimicking this behavior, people formed groups and walked from door to door, singing Christmas carols for people at their doors.
