Jesus's Words

The First Noel

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About the Carol

"The First Noel" is a traditional English carol, so old that it uses the word "Noel" as a synonym for "Christmas." It is believed to be of Cornish origin, and was first published in a book titled Carols Ancient and Modern, edited by William Sandys in 1823. The message of the song is the joyous pronouncement that the King of Israel has been born. When we sing the song or wish someone a joyous noel, we are following the example of the angels, announcing the good news that Jesus Christ was born, not just for Israel, but for all mankind, so we could receive forgiveness of sins through him.

Lyrics Back to Top ↑

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 the 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 it's 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 entered in those wise men three,
Fell reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

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 naught,
And with his blood mankind has bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel.

Analysis of Carol Back to Top ↑

The first Noel the angels did say

A little explaining will be helpful. "Noel" is not a name found in the Bible. Instead, it is believed to have come from the French joyeux noel, or "Merry Christmas." There are some who also believe that "noel" may be derived from the French nouvelles, or "news." So here, the author is saying that the angels talked about the first Christmas, or about who got the first news of Jesus's birth.

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.

We do not know if Jesus was born in winter. If he was, it was not recorded in the Bible.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel.

Jesus's apostles and disciples, all throughout his ministry on Earth, were wondering when Jesus would take the kingship. That is why after Jesus's resurrection they asked him, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?Acts 1:6

They looked up and saw a star

The shepherds did not see the star, that was the wise men.

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 the country far;

We do not know how many wise men came to see Jesus, for the Bible only says, Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.Matthew 2:1

However, three gifts were recorded as given, so perhaps that is where the idea of the three wise men came from. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.Matthew 2:11

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;

Bethlehem is northwest of Jerusalem.

O'er Bethlehem it took it's rest,
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

And this is how we know that this star was not an astrological star, or at least it was not when it stood over baby Jesus. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.Matthew 2:9

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel.

Then entered in those wise men three,
Fell reverently upon their knee,

Fell upon their knee, fell down, nearly the same thing in the context of worship. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him.Matthew 2:11

And offered there in his presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.Matthew 2:11

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 naught,
And with his blood mankind has bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel.
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