Christian Reflection and Prayer

The first noel 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.

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.

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.

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.

Then entered in those wise men three, full rev'rently
upon their knee, and offered there, in His presence,
their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our
heav'nly Lord, that hath made heav'n and earth of
naught, and with His blood mankind hath bought.

Chorus: Noel, noel! Noel, noel! Born is the
King of Israel!

The Story of "The First Noel"


Although no Christmas season would be
complete without the melodious singing of this
tuneful carol, very little is known about its origin.
It is believed to have had its rise in France during
the fifteenth century. Noel is a French word
originating from Latin meaning "birthday." The song
is thought to have been brought across the channel
to England before 1823 by the wandering troubadours.
The carol under the English form, "Nowell," became
a great favorite for Christmas Eve, especially in the
west of England. This was when the entire village
gathered for singing and celebrating the bringing in
of the Yule log. At this time carols were thought of
as popular religious songs meant to be sung outside
the church rather than within.

"The First Noel" portrays in vivid narrative style the
story of the birth of Christ. All six stanzas are
needed to complete the entire event when the hymn
is sung. The sixth stanza urges us to join together
to sing praises to God for the marvels of His creation
and for the salvation provided through Christ's shed
blood. The repetition of the joyous "noel" in the refrain
is equivalent to our singing out "happy birthday" to someone.

It is interesting to observe that the "King of Israel" was
first announced to "certain poor shepherds" only, but in
the final stanza the phrases "let us all" and "mankind
hath brought" remind us that Christ came to redeem
the whole world.