Christmas Hymns: The First Noel

I have been reviewing some modern worship songs, but I’ve taken a break to explore some Advent and Christmas hymns. 😀. Today, I’ve chosen The First Noel.

This one was always a bit of a puzzle to me. Why Noel? That was the name of my best friend in primary school. But I think that he was born at Christmas. And in the hymn. it’s pronounced more like Noelle. The Latin word natalis means “birth” or “related to birth.” And in old french this became noel. English borrowed noel from French. It came to mean Christmas or a Christmas carol.

But even more puzzling is the first line:

The first Nowell the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay.

Well, if the word means “carol” then, you could understand that it was an angel making an announcement and singing to the shepherds:

Luke 2:8-14
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

It’s a classic hymn. It’s roots are in Cornwall, England, possibly as early as the 13th–14th century, though the version we know appeared in the 1800s. Some think that it was connected to early theatrical performances of Bible stories, which were common in Cornwall

Some evangelical Christians who I know don’t have any love for anything old, apart from the New Testament era. But I like to feel a sense of connection with Christians over the centuries even if their understanding was a little poor at times. We sometimes forget that few had the kind of access to the Scriptures that we have today. And they weren’t really in a position to explore all the debates of the reformation. Perhaps many had a simple, but genuine faith.

Let’s explore the lyrics – it basically is a simple telling of the story:

1 The first Nowell 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.
Refrain:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.

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. [Refrain]

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. [Refrain]

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. [Refrain]

5 Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. [Refrain]

6 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 our life hath bought. [Refrain]

The last verse applies it all to our lives today. And it reminds us that the uiiverse was created out of nothing through our Lord Jesus Christ, the very one that shed his blood for us so that we could have eternal life with him in heaven.

That’s what the word “Saviour” is all about. People sometimes balk at the term “saved”, or at hearing people talk about themselves as being “saved”. But what else does a Saviour do but save?

Romans 10:9
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

I sometimes think of the notion of being lost at sea. I might be the best swimmer in the world, but I’m too far from the shore. Then, someone comes and saves me. That’s what true Christianity is all about. We don’t get to heaven by our merit. We need a Saviour. It doesn’t mean that we don’t need to bother trying to live Godly lives. But we try to be Godly out of love and gratitude and because it’s simply the right thing to do. Love God and love others.

Here are some interesting versions of the hymn: