The First Noel

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 ↑}

Analysis of Carol ^{Back to Top ↑}

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.

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

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}

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

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}

Bethlehem is northwest of Jerusalem.

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}

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