You would need to go back to a Latin Christian, Caelius Sedulius, who probably lived in Rome sometime in the 400's. Little is known about Sedulius except that he was converted from paganism and became an influential hymnist in the early church. He devoted himself to writing Christian poetry. One was called, Now Praise We Christ The Holy One. Let me share some of the verses Christians would have sung in unheated, church worship places some SIXTEEN HUNDRED YEARS AGO. They would not have complained of the building being a little too hot or cold. They would not have searched out their favorite pew, or listened for a fifty voice choir. They might not even have been able to sit in a pew, but with their outside wraps still on, these early Christians would have sung or chanted words like these at Christmastime:
Now praise we Christ, the holy One
The blessed virgin Mary's Son
Far as the glorious sun doth shine
E'en to the world's remote confine.
He who Himself all things did make
A servant's form vouchsafed to take
That He as man mankind might win
And save His creatures from their sin.
Upon a manger filled with hay
In poverty content He lay;
With milk was fed the Lord of all,
Who feeds the ravens when they call.
The heavenly choirs rejoice and raise
Their voice to God in songs of praise
To humble shepherds is proclaimed
The Shepherd Who the world hath framed.
Caelius Sedulius 400 A.D.
