The very first performers were Josef Mohr and Franz Gruber themselves. They sang the song on that Christmas night in 1818. After that, the song, thanks to the Strasser and Rainer families, became more widespread, and was sung by great numbers of performers.
From the moment the gramophone record was invented, the song was thus recorded. It appears on thousands of records, and later also on CDs, films and videos. Many well-known, and less-known, singers, of both popular and classical genres, have sung it, as well as children's, youth, male and mixed choirs. Often sung solemnly, sometimes gaily; on occasions it has been mutilated. Many times well-known singers' styles are instantly recognisable.
And then there are the instrumental versions; from philharmonic orchestra to music-box, from harp to mouth organ, from country to reggae, no type of music is eschewed. There is even a hard rock rendition.