Christmas Carols & Hymns Unit ~ Free

Enjoy a change of pace during the holiday season with this free Christmas unit study by Karen Caroe. Good Christian Men Rejoice focuses on fifteen Christmas carols and hymns.

While this unit is a study of 15 Christmas carols and hymns, it is intended to be flexible enough for every family’s holiday schedule. You may choose to spend a couple of days on one song, do only one or 2 a week, or try to do them all. It is completely up to you. It is my prayer that the study of even one of these beautiful songs will bless your holiday season and help you focus on the reason for the season—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We have added updated resources and links below that go with the unit.

Suggestions

Joy to the World! ~ Review & Go-Along Activities

Joy to the World by Kenneth W. Osbeck is a very helpful resource that provides “The Stories Behind Your Favorite Christmas Carols.” Read our review for more information on the book and how we used it.
Spend one day on each carol.
Enjoy singing the carol together at the beginning of the day.
Each day includes a Scripture verse. Have each child choose one verse to copy and memorize by the end of the unit.
Make a notebooking page for each carol covered, copying and illustrating the chorus on Drawing & Writing Paper. The included Scripture verse can also be added to the page.
Create a Christmas carol songbook with the printable sheet music of each carol. The songbook can then be used for the Christmas caroling activity mentioned in the unit.
There are many other Christmas carols that could be included. What are your family favorites? Add a few!

Introduction

Christmas Songs Trivia
Another option instead of “Name That Tune” or “Charades.”

Good Christian Men Rejoice

Good Christian Men Rejoice
Music and lyrics.

In Dulci Jubilo
Printable sheet music.

Printing Press
Interactive tool at ReadWriteThink for formatting the newspaper article.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Music and lyrics.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Printable sheet music.

The Names of Jesus
For help with finding the Scripture verses mentioned.

Angels From the Realms of Glory

Angels From the Realms of Glory
Music and lyrics.

Angels From the Realms of Glory
Printable sheet music.

Angels From the Realms of Glory
A site that may help with the Scripture references mentioned. Also, choose the high quality .mp3 version to hear an a capella rendition.

Thou Dist Leave Thy Throne

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
Music and lyrics.

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
Printable sheet music.

Paper Nativity Scene
To print, color and assemble. (Scroll down.)

Heart and Circulatory System: How They Work
Video from the Mayo Clinic for help with the science activities.
(You may want to install an ad blocker before viewing.)

Silent Night

Silent Night
Music and lyrics.

Silent Night
Printable sheet music.

What Does the Bible Say About Light
100 Bible verses.

Stained Glass Star
Christmas tree ornament craft (made with paper, not glass).

Star Stories {Free eBook, Go-Alongs & Star Book Pages}
Written by Gertrude Chandler Warner, this is our new favorite for learning the constellations. Helps include download for making your own star book.

Silent Night: A Unit Study
More about the song in our free unit!

Away in a Manager

Away in a Manager
Music and lyrics.

Away in a Manger
Printable sheet music.

Away in a Manger Cookies
Variation of the recipe given.

One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham
One way to “see Jesus as the greatest gift ever given.” Read our review.

Joy to the World

Joy to the World
Music and lyrics.

Joy to the World
Printable sheet music.

Isaac Watts
A list of hymns written by him (scroll down).

(Note: For the record, JOY as it is used in the unit is not an anagram, but an acronym.)

Felt Nativity Set Pattern
This is a wonderful guide; however, you may want your ad blocker working when clicking through to the PDF.

Bethlehem
Photos.

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night
Music and lyrics.

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night
Printable sheet music.

Free Nature Studies: Sheep and Their Shepherds
More about shepherds and sheep with resources from our free nature studies.

Luke 2:8-14
An account of the angel appearing to the shepherds.

Candy Cane Poem
Avoids the legend, which is likely untrue, but retains the object lesson.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Music and lyrics.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Printable sheet music.

List of Ongoing Armed Conflicts
Map of world conflicts.

The First Noel

The First Noel
Music and lyrics.

The First Noel
Printable sheet music.

Birthday Cake for Jesus
Of course any cake will do, but this recipe uses the birthday cake as an object lesson.

Europe
Labeled map at EduPlace.com for marking France and England. You will also want to mark the English Channel.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Music and lyrics.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Printable sheet music.

“Christmas Bells”
Original poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Bell Cookies
Perfect ornaments for the tree!

Christmas During the Civil War
Explains some of the Christmas traditions that have continued.

“Playing Pilgrims”
The first chapter from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. You’ll also want to read the second chapter, “A Merry Christmas.”

We Three Kings

We Three Kings
Music and lyrics.

We Three Kings
Printable sheet music.

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett
Beautifully illustrated version of the song.

Twelve Days of Christmas
Printables from DLTK for each day that can be colored or not.

12 Days of Christmas {Activities}
Activities for each day.

The Gifts of the Wise Men and Our Gifts for Jesus
An explanation of the three gifts.

Paper Crown
Craft from DLTK.

DIY Homeschooler