The First Noel

Luke 2:10–11 CSB

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

Intro...

THE FIRST NOEL...

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.

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

2. For all to see there was 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.

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

3. And by the light of that same star The wise men came from country far; To seek for a king was their intent, And to follow the star wherever it went.

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

4. Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord Who hath made heav'n and earth of naught, And with His blood mankind hath bought.

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

THE HYMN STORY: “The First Noel” is one of the few surviving early Christmas standards that can genuinely be earmarked as a folk song. Whoever was responsible for writing this carol was obviously incredibly enthusiastic about Christmas and fully understood the wonder of Christ’s birth, but didn’t have a full grasp on the Scriptures that told the story of that birth. During the Middle Ages, this was often the rule rather than the exception. When “The First Noel” was written, there were very few Bibles in circulation. Most were either in churches or monasteries and were written in Latin. Common people rarely saw a Bible in person, and even if they would have, they probably wouldn’t have been able to read the words in the sacred book, since most people living in those times were illiterate.

In England, “The First Noel” was sung each year by many peasants as they lit the Yule log. Therefore, this became the song that started the entire Christmas season. Especially for children, this carol meant the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year. Down through the ages, the tradition of the Yule log carried with it the music of this folk carol. Though its words and music were not written down, “The First Noel” survived…

“The First Noel” finally was published by William Sandys in 1833. A lawyer by trade, Sandys loved music and spent his spare time collecting both French and English folk songs. In his book on Christmas folk songs he included “The First Noel.” Already a favorite with the peasant class, by the mid–1800s, when the Church of England began to use new songs during services, “The First Noel” found universal acclaim.

Today we move from ANTICIPATION to ARRIVAL [though it’s unlikely that the latter is totally devoid of the former!]

The First Noel…Christmas…was made known (possibly at the same time, though their opportunity to visit Jesus, Mary, and Joseph certainly differed)...

Made Known to LOWLY REJECTS [Shepherds] ()

Undignified

Despised

Transients [Workers]

Unclean

Unreliable (to testify in court).

The shepherd, Moses, was an exile running from a troublesome past. The shepherd, David, was “left to be shepherd” rather than thought of as a candidate to be king. The shepherd, Amos, an unlikely candidate to be prophet.

Luke 2:10–12 CSB

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

The ‘good news’ clearly proclaimed!

Luke 2:13–14 CSB

Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

The worship from angels…still proclaims the impact of the Gospel.

Luke 2:17–20 CSB

After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

These unclean, unreliable, transients…become the first evangelists!

Made Known to PREEMINENT OUTSIDERS [Magoi] ()

Foreigners

Gentiles

Magicians [May likely have been impacted by Daniel and other Jews of the Exilic Period]

Matthew 2:1–2 CSB

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2.1-

The star…both significant to Persian culture (a new star was thought to signify the birth of an important person)…& alluded to in Scripture (Balaam’s prophecy):

Numbers 24:17 CSB

I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near. A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike down all the Shethites.

Numbers

Matthew 2:5–6 CSB

“In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”

Matthew 2.

The connection to the prophet, Micah...

Micah 5:2 CSB

Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.

Matthew 2:11 CSB

Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2.11

Great gifts of significance - Price… Gold=Kingly value; Frankincense=Incense & Perfume (worship); Myrrh=Anointing Oil & Burial Preparations (worship)

Matthew 2:1–2 CSB

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”

Last verse of “The First Noel”...

Then let us all with one accord

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord

Who hath made heav'n and earth of naught,

And with His blood mankind hath bought.

Colossians 1:15–16 CSB

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him.

1 Peter 1:18–19 CSB

For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.

1 Peter 1:18–21 CSB

For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1 Peter 1:18–20 CSB

For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you.

1 Peter 1.