"A day, a day of glory" is a vibrant nineteenth-century Christmas carol written by the eminent English priest, scholar, and hymnwriter John Mason Neale. Known for his profound contributions to English hymnody through translations of ancient Greek and Latin liturgy, Neale wrote this specific English carol to support the musical preservation efforts of his contemporary, the architect and musician Edmund Sedding.
The carol was composed expressly for Sedding's collection, Antient Christmas Carols, which was published in 1860. It appeared in that volume as the sixth entry in a selection of Christmas carols, structured in four stanzas of eight lines. Sedding set Neale's words to a traditional, lively French melody, matching the joyous and triumphant tone of the lyrics.
The piece gained wider recognition in the years following its initial publication. In 1867, it was reprinted without alteration in The People's Hymnal as hymn number 29. Its bright imagery of angelic hosts and cosmic rejoicing made it a favored addition to Anglican festive services during the late Victorian era.
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