So far in 2023, 13 million people from 200-plus countries around the world have benefitted from the Hymnary website! Thank you to all who use Hymnary.org and all who support it with gifts of time, talent and treasure. If you feel moved to support our work today with a gift of any amount and a word of encouragement, we would be grateful. You can donate online at our secure giving site. Or, if you'd like to make a gift by check, please send it to: Hymnary.org, Calvin University, 3201 Burton Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. May the hope, love, joy and peace of Advent be yours this day and always.

Click here to donate to Hymnary.orgI have already donated. Please don't show this to me again this fund drive
Your donation:
$

CHRISTMAS (Handel)

Composer: George Frideric Handel

George Frideric Handel (b. Halle, Germany, 1685; d. London, England, 1759) became a musician and composer despite objections from his father, who wanted him to become a lawyer. Handel studied music with Zachau, organist at the Halle Cathedral, and became an accomplished violinist and keyboard performer. He traveled and studied in Italy for some time and then settled permanently in England in 1713. Although he wrote a large number of instrumental works, he is known mainly for his Italian operas, oratorios (including Messiah, 1741), various anthems for church and royal festivities, and organ concertos, which he interpolated into his oratorio performances. He composed only three hymn tunes, one of which (GOPSAL) still appears in some modern hy… Go to person page >

^ top

Tune Information

Title: CHRISTMAS (Handel)
Composer: George Frideric Handel (1728)
Meter: 8.6.8.6.6
Incipit: 34517 65123 34555
Key: D Major
Copyright: Public Domain
^ top

Texts

Running the Christian Race

While shepherds watched their flocks

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground,
an angel of the Lord came down,
and glory shone around.

Go to text page...

All texts published with CHRISTMAS (Handel)^ top

Notes

The tune is based on the the beginning of the soprano aria "Non vi piacque ingiusti dei" from the opera "Siroe"

^ top

Timeline

^ top

Arrangements

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations

  • Free Harmonizations of Favorite Hymns Volume 1: General Hymns I
    Composer/Editor James M. Guthrie
    Published By: Self-published (2017) pp. LL
  • Free Harmonizations of Favorite Hymns Volume 3: The Christmas Season
    Composer/Editor James M. Guthrie
    Published By: Self-published (2017) pp. LL
  • The Art of Hymn Playing Volume 2: 250 Preludes Introductions Free Accompaniments & Alternate Harmonizations
    Composer/Editor Charles Callahan
    Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (2009) pp. 38-39
  • Crystal Cathedral Golden Collection
    Composer/Editors Frederick Swann; Mark Thallander; Richard Unfried
    Published By: Fred Bock Music Company (2006) pp. 112
  • Two Hundred One Hymn Tune Prelude Miniatures
    Composer/Editor Mark Winchester
    Published By: Frog Music (2005) pp. 144
  • The Creative Use of Descants in Worship: The Creative Church Musician Series / Volume 3
    Composer/Editor Hal H. Hopson
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1999) pp. 23
  • Free Harmonizations of Hymn Tunes: By Fifty American Composers
    Composer/Editor D. DeWitt Wasson
    Published By: Hinshaw Music, Inc. (1984) pp. 64
  • Organ Hymns of Praise from the Crystal Cathedral: Hymn Accompaniments Arranged by Richard Unfreid
    Composer/Editor Richard Unfried
    Published By: Fred Bock Music Company (1981) pp. 31
  • Free Hymn Accompaniments: 46 Tunes, 74 Hymns, Fully Indexed
    Composer/Editor Robert J. Powell
    Published By: Abingdon Press (1979) pp. 20

Organ Solo

  • He Is Born: Christmas Carols for Organ
    Composer/Editor Lloyd Larson
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2021) pp. 28
  • Hark the Glad Sound: Carols for Organ
    Composer/Editor Lynn L. Peterson
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2007) pp. 34
  • Big Brown Book of Organ Solos
    Composer/Editors Carol McMillen Tornquist; Ken Barker; Owen Griffin
    Published By: Word Music Group, LLC (2002) pp. 97
  • Carols of the Angels for Organ
    Composer/Editors Dorothy Wells; Mary Beth Williams
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1999) pp. 28
  • Hymn Trios for the New Organist Volume Three: Motivic Pedal Parts
    Composer/Editor Richard Hudson
    Published By: Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. (1994) pp. 14
  • By Request: Favorite Hymns for Organ
    Composer/Editor Betty Sue Shepherd
    Published By: Cumberland Hill Music Corporation (1989) pp. 27
  • Twelve Hymn Settings for Organ Volume II
    Composer/Editor David N. Johnson
    Published By: Schmitt Music Centers (1977) pp. 40
  • Ten Christmas Organ Voluntaries on Familiar Carols: With Hammond Registration
    Composer/Editor Gordon Young
    Published By: Theodore Presser Company (1970) pp. 12
  • The Parish Organist Part Eleven: Thirty-five Preludes on Familiar Hymn Tunes
    Composer/Editors Willem Mudde; Wayne Barlow
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1966) pp. 12
  • Standard Carols & Variations for Organ: For Use with Congregational Singing
    Composer/Editor Allen James
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1962) pp. 26
  • The Organist Volume 58 Number 5 November 1954: Voluntaries for the Church Organ
    Composer/Editors Rob Roy Peery; Roger C. Wilson
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1954) pp. 31

Piano Solo

  • A Traditional Christmas: 18 Arrangements Celebrating the Birth of Jesus
    Composer/Editor Melody Bober
    Published By: Alfred Music Publishing Company, Inc. (2016) pp. 45
  • O Holy Child of Bethlehem: Christmas Carols arranged for Solo Piano
    Composer/Editor Marilyn White
    Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (2008) pp. 36
  • Illuminations: Reflections on Christmas
    Composer/Editor Jay Rouse
    Published By: PraiseGathering Music (2005) pp. 19
  • Christmas Classics: Arranged for Piano
    Composer/Editor Carolyne M. Taylor
    Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (1998) pp. 12
  • Carols of Christmas: In Baroque Style - Solo Piano Intermediate
    Composer/Editor Carrie Kraft
    Published By: Belwin-Mills Publishing Corporation (1997) pp. 6
  • Yuletide Treasures: 20 Christmas miniatures for Solo Piano
    Composer/Editor Jolene Boyd
    Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (1997) pp. 40
  • Songs of Bethlehem: Solo Piano for Christmas
    Composer/Editor Don Wyrtzen
    Published By: Word Music Group, LLC (1996) pp. 38
  • A Christmas Soliloquy: Solo Piano Arrangements by Jay Rouse
    Composer/Editor Jay Rouse
    Published By: PraiseGathering Music (1994) pp. 31
  • Classical Carols: Piano Arrangements for the Christmas Season
    Composer/Editor Carolyne M. Taylor
    Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (1992) pp. 3
  • Dino - Christmas Favorites
    Composer/Editor Dino Kartsonakis
    Published By: Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc. (1988) pp. 9
  • A Christmas Gift of Love: Dino
    Composer/Editor Dino Kartsonakis
    Published By: Lexicon Music, Inc. (1985) pp. 18
  • Bock's Best Volume III: 25 Outstanding Christmas Piano Arrangements
    Composer/Editor Fred Bock
    Published By: Fred Bock Music Company (1984) pp. 10, 50
  • Tedd Smith's Piano Solo Arrangements of Christmas Carols: Easy to Moderately Difficult
    Composer/Editor Tedd Smith
    Published By: Singspiration Music, Inc. (1969) pp. 21
  • Christmas Transcriptions for Piano
    Composer/Editor Wilda Jackson Auld
    Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (1955) pp. 16

Piano and Organ Duet

  • Bells, Angels, Shepherds and Kings: Medleys for Organ and Piano
    Composer/Editor Lani Smith
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2006) pp. 23
  • Carol Medleys: Creative4 Christmas Duets for Organ and Piano
    Composer/Editor Lani Smith
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2003) pp. 3
  • A Christmas Tapestry for Organ & Piano
    Composer/Editor Lani Smith
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2000) pp. 16
  • Piano / Organ Duets for Special Holidays
    Composer/Editor W. Elmo Mercer
    Published By: Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc. (1993) pp. 53
More arrangements^ top

Media

You have access to this FlexScore.
Download:
Are parts of this score outside of your desired range? Try transposing this FlexScore.
General Settings
Stanza Selection
Voice Selection
Text size:
Music size:
Transpose (Half Steps):
Capo:
Contacting server...
Contacting server...
Questions? Check out the FAQ

A separate copy of this score must be purchased for each choir member. If this score will be projected or included in a bulletin, usage must be reported to a licensing agent (e.g. CCLI, OneLicense, etc).

This is a preview of your FlexScore.
Christian Classics Ethereal Hymnary #528
  • Four-part harmony, full-score (PDF, NWC)
The Cyber Hymnal #316
Text: Awake, My Soul, Stretch Every Nerve
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)
The Cyber Hymnal #2356
Text: Hark from on High Those Blissful Strains!
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)
The Cyber Hymnal #4329
Text: Mortals Awake, with Angels Join
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)
The Cyber Hymnal #7657
Text: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)
The Cyber Hymnal #10388
Text: Hosanna! Raise The Pealing Hymn
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)
The Cyber Hymnal #11726
Text: May I Throughout This Day Of Thine
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)
The Cyber Hymnal #14109
Text: Tu Nous Aimas Jusqu'à La Mort
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)
The United Methodist Hymnal #236
Text: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
  • Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF)
  • Bulletin Score (PDF)
  • Full Score (PDF)
Worship and Rejoice #228
Text: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
^ top

Instances

Instances (1 - 70 of 70)

¡Cantad al Señor! #10

¡Cantad al Señor! #10
TextPage Scan

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #110

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #110

Ambassador Hymnal #35

Ambassador Hymnal #35
TextFlexScorePage Scan

Baptist Hymnal 2008 #203

Baptist Hymnal 2008 #203
TextPage Scan

Breaking Bread (Vol. 39) #100

Breaking Bread (Vol. 39) #100
TextPage Scan

Celebrating Grace Hymnal #123

Celebrating Grace Hymnal #123

Chalice Carols #10

Chalice Carols #10
TextPage Scan

Chalice Hymnal #154

Chalice Hymnal #154
ScoreAudio

Christian Classics Ethereal Hymnary #528

Christian Classics Ethereal Hymnary #528

Christian Worship #117C

Christian Worship #117C

Christmas Favorites #15

Christmas Favorites #15

Church Hymnal, Mennonite #102

Church Hymnal, Mennonite #102

Church Hymnal, Mennonite #500

Church Hymnal, Mennonite #500
TextPage Scan

Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #232

Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #232
Text InfoTextFlexScoreAudioPage Scan

Glory to God #118

Glory to God #118

Great Songs of the Church (Revised) #197

Great Songs of the Church (Revised) #197

Great Songs of the Church (Revised) #543

Great Songs of the Church (Revised) #543

Hymnal #609

Hymnal #609

Hymns and Psalms #773b

Hymns and Psalms #773b
TextPage Scan

Hymns for a Pilgrim People #114

Hymns for a Pilgrim People #114
TextPage Scan

Hymns of Faith #135

Hymns of Faith #135

Hymns of the Saints #236

Hymns of the Saints #236
TextPage Scan

Journeysongs (2nd ed.) #347

Journeysongs (2nd ed.) #347
TextPage Scan

Journeysongs (3rd ed.) #305

Journeysongs (3rd ed.) #305
TextPage Scan

Moravian Book of Worship #296

Moravian Book of Worship #296

Nyimbo za Imani Yetu #54A

Nyimbo za Imani Yetu #54A
Text

Praise for the Lord (Expanded Edition) #62

Praise for the Lord (Expanded Edition) #62
Page Scan

Praise! Our Songs and Hymns #189

Praise! Our Songs and Hymns #189
Page Scan

Rejoice Hymns #216

Rejoice Hymns #216
TextPage Scan

Rejoice in the Lord #200

Rejoice in the Lord #200
TextPage Scan

Sing Joyfully #197

Sing Joyfully #197
Audio

Small Church Music #1998

Small Church Music #1998
Audio

Small Church Music #2766

Small Church Music #2766
Audio

Small Church Music #3582

Small Church Music #3582
Page Scan

Soul-stirring Songs and Hymns (Rev. ed.) #430

Soul-stirring Songs and Hymns (Rev. ed.) #430
TextPage Scan

The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #99

The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #99
TextPage Scan

The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #175

The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #175

The Book of Psalms for Worship #117A

The Book of Psalms for Worship #117A
Text

The Celebration Hymnal #272

The Celebration Hymnal #272

The Christian Life Hymnal #125

The Christian Life Hymnal #125
Page Scan

The Covenant Hymnal #156

The Covenant Hymnal #156
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #316

The Cyber Hymnal #316
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #2356

The Cyber Hymnal #2356
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #4329

The Cyber Hymnal #4329
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #7657

The Cyber Hymnal #7657
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #10388

The Cyber Hymnal #10388
ScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #11726

The Cyber Hymnal #11726
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #14109

The Cyber Hymnal #14109
Text

The Hymnal 1982 #546

The Hymnal 1982 #546
Text

The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration #135

The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration #135

The Liturgical Harp #29

The Liturgical Harp #29
TextPage Scan

The New Century Hymnal #491

The New Century Hymnal #491
TextPage Scan

The New National Baptist Hymnal (21st Century Edition) #83

The New National Baptist Hymnal (21st Century Edition) #83
TextPage Scan

The Presbyterian Hymnal #59

The Presbyterian Hymnal #59
TextFlexScoreAudioPage Scan

The United Methodist Hymnal #236

The United Methodist Hymnal #236

The United Methodist Hymnal Music Supplement #65

The United Methodist Hymnal Music Supplement #65
Text

Timeless Truths #492

Timeless Truths #492
TextFlexScoreAudioPage Scan

Trinity Hymnal (Rev. ed.) #223

Trinity Hymnal (Rev. ed.) #223
TextPage Scan

Trinity Hymnal (Rev. ed.) #576

Trinity Hymnal (Rev. ed.) #576
TextPage Scan

Trinity Psalter Hymnal #310

Trinity Psalter Hymnal #310
TextAudio

TTT-Himnaro Cigneta #110a

TTT-Himnaro Cigneta #110a
TextAudio

TTT-Himnaro Cigneta #112

TTT-Himnaro Cigneta #112
TextPage Scan

Voices Together #253

Voices Together #253
TextScoreAudioPage Scan

Worship and Rejoice #228

Worship and Rejoice #228
TextPage Scan

Worship and Service Hymnal #30

Worship and Service Hymnal #30
TextPage Scan

Worship and Service Hymnal #419

Worship and Service Hymnal #419

Worship His Majesty #160

Worship His Majesty #160
Text

Worship in Song #97

Worship in Song #97
TextPage Scan

Yes, Lord! #209

Yes, Lord! #209
TextPage Scan

نظم المرامير #341

نظم المرامير #341
Include 511 pre-1979 instances
All instances^ top
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us