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Christmas Carol History: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Few carols are as hauntingly beautiful as Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence. Its words reach back over 1,500 years to the ancient Liturgy of St. James, used by early Christians in Jerusalem. Originally sung during Communion, the hymn calls worshippers to approach the presence of Christ in awe and silence, as heaven and earth stand still before the mystery of the Incarnate Word. Ralph Vaughan Williams later arranged the text to the French medieval tune Picardy in the early 20th century, giving it the solemn, reverent melody we know today. The song’s minor tone and slow movement create a sense of holy fear and wonder, contrasting sharply with the cheerful tone of many Christmas hymns. This carol reminds us that Christmas is not only joy and celebration but that it is trembling reverence before the eternal God made flesh. Angels veil their faces, the earth falls silent, and believers bow low before the Lamb of God who comes to feed his people with himself.