The First Noel

The First Noel

Noel, Noel

Noel, Noel

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!

Noel, Noel

Noel, Noel

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

Noel, Noel

Noel, Noel

Noel, Noel

Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!

Born is the King of Israel!

Noel, Noel

Noel, Noel

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Traditional

The popular Christmas Carol, The First Noël, is believed to date from the 13^th or 14^th century, a time in which all medieval civilization in Europe was springing to life. The inspiration for the story of the song comes from dramatizations of favorite Bible stories for holidays, which were called the Miracle Plays, and were very popular during this time. It tells the story of the night that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, based on the Gospel accounts in Luke 2 and Matthew 2.

Noël is the French word for Christmas and is from the Latin natalis, meaning "birthday." Most medieval poetry was written to be sung, so it is presumed that the words were written with an existing tune in mind. This makes the tune to the song even older, and is likely English or French.

A Revival of Christmas Carols

At the beginning of the 19^th century, the singing of Christmas carols was dying out in England. It is Davies Gilbert who is credited with initiating a revival of sorts. 'The First Nowell' was first published in Gilbert's Some Ancient Christmas Carols in 1823. He took it from a manuscript of Cornish carols made around 1817, and are today available in the County Record Office in Truro, England.

Ten years later, a man named William Sandys was concerned that the celebration of Christmas was 'on the wane.' His action that changed this was to compile a collection of carols in order to preserve them. Sandys' collection of Christmas Carols begins with a history of the Christmas celebration, followed by a total of 80 carols. It is here that The First Noël was first published with words by Sandys in his 1833 edition of Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern.

All subsequent versions of The First Noël have been based on the version found in Sandys' collection. The Methodist denomination of Christianity also helped to spread the song. In the areas of England where Methodism was strongest, music and singing were prominent, especially during Christmas time. And so The First Noël spread throughout the land by way of Methodist churches. By 1918 at the first service of Nine Lessons and Carols in Cambridge, 'The First Nowell' was chosen as the final hymn, being sung by the congregation alone.:

    (source: The First Noël - A Christmas Revival - Classic History)

http://www.classichistory.net › archives › first-noel-caro

What was it like for those shepherds whose job was to take care of their flocks, but were suddenly made aware of this great multitude of angels, announcing the birth of the long-awaited Christ Child?

That God would choose a group of lowly people, instead of those that would be considered high ranking during those times.

But that's how He did it. And because of it, we can be assured that He can and will appear to us as well. Maybe with those angels unawares as in Hebrews 13:2, or through some kind of answered prayer. Maybe even by our guardian angel. 

God can do anything, at any time. Whether in some small way. 

Or even as great as announcing the birth of His Son to some shepherds in the field. Nothing is impossible for the God we serve. Luke 1:37 

We just need to believe.

Thanks for coming by. Blessed be the Rock of our salvation. And blessings to you this day!