Each year, we look forward to singing beloved Christmas Carols. As Christians, the singing of carols is an act deeply embedded within our DNA. Since the playing of Christmas Carols has become an increasingly ubiquitous backdrop to our three-month, shop-‘til-you-drop holiday season, I thought it would be interesting to focus on one carol as the basis of our CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS on December 3. Welcome to the world of “The First Nowell.”
“The First Noël” (alt. Nowell) is an English Christmas carol, most likely from the sixteenth or seventeenth century, though possibly as early as the thirteenth century. The French word “Noël” means "Christmas", which is derived from the Latin word “natalis,” which means "birth".
"The First Noel" portrays in vivid narrative style the story of the birth of Christ. All six stanzas are needed to complete the entire event when the hymn is sung. So let’s take a moment to consider these amazing words, and learn where their origins are in the Bible:
1. The first noel the angel 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.
The angels announce the birth of Jesus Christ to shepherds (Lk 2:8–9).
2. 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.
Biblically, there is no record of shepherds seeing a star. The Magi passage in Matthew indicates that it wasn’t always so readily visible (Mt 2:10).
3. 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.
It is not known how many wise men (Magi) “came from country far.” Before they arrived in Bethlehem, they asked Herod, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him” (Mt 2:2.)
4. 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.
The star led the wise men from “the east” to Jerusalem, and then from there to Bethlehem. Matthew‘s Gospel (Mt 2:9) speaks of the star stopping over the place where Jesus was.
5. Then entered in those wise men three, full rev'rently upon their knee,
And offered there, in His presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
This stanza is straight out of Matthew (other than the uncertainty of the number of Magi): “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt 2:11).
6. Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heav'nly Lord,
That hath made heav'n and earth of naught, and with His blood mankind hath bought.
Paul tells the Colossians to “put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity,” and in the next breath encourages the church to sing with thankfulness to God (Col 3:14; 16). Paul also writes, “For by Him all things were created [. . .] all things have been created through Him and for Him.” (Col 1:16.) John writes, “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” (Jn 1:3). And Peter fervently confirms that Jesus’ blood has redeemed us: “You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold [. . .] but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Pe 1:18–19).
Chorus: Noel, noel! Noel, noel! Born is the King of Israel!
The angels proclaimed that there had been born a “Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:11).
What a magnificent Christmas Carol! Take a moment to consider these powerful words, and then join us in “A CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS: The First Noel” on December 3 at 4PM and 7PM. Merry Christmas indeed
(With thanks to Jeffrey Kranz in “I didn’t think I’d like “The First Noel,” but then I studied the last verse” | Dec 10, 2016 | <http://overviewbible.com/the-first-noel-lyrics/>)
