Noel

"The First Noel" is one of my most beloved Christmas carols.

But until recently, I didn't even know what the "first Noel" really meant.

Shamefully, I sung this song out of habit and tradition. I just assumed it was seasonally appropriate and a beautiful song. I knew it was about my Lord & Savior but I didn't know much more than the basic chorus.

I was so WRONG.

The "First Noel" means the first birthday, the first Christmas.

The word Nowell comes from the French word Noel meaning "Christmas", from the Latin word natalis .

So, I now encourage you to celebrate Christmas, not out of tradition or even symbolism but rather celebrate knowing that this special time of year is about so much more. It's about the first Noel. Without this miraculous birthday, the rest wouldn't even matter.

Lyrics

The first 'Noel the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.

Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.

Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!

This star drew nigh to the northwest:
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!

*Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie;
One entered in then for to see,
And found the Babe in poverty.

Nowell! Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those wise men three,
Full rev'rently upon their knee,
And offered there, in his presence,
Both gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Nowell! Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!
Born is the King of Israel!

*Between an ox-stall and an ass
This Child there truly borned was;
For want of clothing they did him lay
All in the manger, among the hay.

Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made heaven and earth of nought
And with His blood mankind hath bought.

Noel! Noel! Noel! Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!

*If we in our time shall do well
We shall be free from death and hell,
For God hath prepared for us all
A resting-place in general.

Nowell! Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!

First Noel Gift ideas:

Jan Pietnkowski reaches new heights in artistry and paper engineering with this 3-D book. Look at the photo of the open book in my review (see link below). You'll see that it is a carousel, or star, book with five striking panels in silhouette, each showing a scene about the birth of Jesus. The text in each scene consists of just one sentence retelling the Bible story of the Nativity. You will want to display the open book throughout the holidays. (Candlewick Press, 2004. ISBN: 0763621900)

Order your copy here