The Story of "The First Noel"

Over time many people have wondered where the word "noel" came from. Some scholars attest that "noel" is French, and means "a shout of joy" at the birth of Jesus. Others claim that it comes from the medieval Latin word "natalis," meaning "birth," which would explain why some people refer to Christmas as "His natal day." There is yet another Latin word could be the source of "noel," the word "novella," which means "news," which corresponds with the idea that the news of Jesus' birth causes great shouts of joy associated with Christmas time.

However, other scholars say that the original is of English spelling, "nowell," rather than the French "noël." This could be yet another example of how the English language has evolved through time.

An example of this changing over the centuries is the English people took the parting phrase they gave eachother, "Fare thee well," and made it into one word, "Farewell." They also took the phrase "God be with you," and shortened it into "goodbye."

Similarly, if the word "nowell" was first a phrase rather than a word, then maybe it was something like "Now all is well!" The early English greeted each other every Christmas morning by shouting "Now all is well," because God had provided his son as a light for the world!  Eventually, "Now all is well" became simply "Now well," and was later "Nowell."

If so, then when the poet who wrote "The First Noel" sat down to compose his poem about the birth of Jesus Christ perhaps he made the decision that the message the angels gave to the shepherds, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10), was a message that reminds us all that "now all is well," for Christ was born.

"The First Noel" has been a popular carol for almost 300 years, and is about the oldest common carol in the English language. It is known for its simplicity and sincerity. After traveling through word of mouth for many years, "The First Noel" was finally written down with the tune correct, and printed for the first time in a collection of Christmas carols published in 1833.

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields as 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. Refrain

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. Refrain

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

Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frakincense. Refrain

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought. Refrain

The Story of "The First Noel"

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