The First Noel

In its essence, The First Noel is a Happy Birthday song, like every Christmas carol. However, historians, musicians, and theologists insist it isn’t an ordinary hymn.

The First Noel has several vital distinctions from most hymns, both in the musical structure and the narrative.

Most importantly, The Frist Noel teaches us a lesson and makes us reflect on the real meaning of the holiday as a great Christmas hymn should.

Lyrics

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 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 Pause and stay
Right o’er the place where Jesus lay
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 nought
And with his blood mankind hath bought
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
 
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Born is the King
Born is the King
Born is the King of Israel!

Origins

The First Noel sometimes called The First Nowell, is an English folk Christmas carol with Cornish roots. Nowell is an old English word for Christmas, derived from the French word Noel translating as Christmas season.

In Latin, “Natalis,” the origin of the word “Noel,” means “birth.” Historians suggest that the song appeared in the early modern period, in approximately the 15th century, but it could be older.

Carol’s name can help us identify the earliest period it could have been written. The word Nowell first appears in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales of 1395, where the author recited The Franklin’s Tale from 1255: “And ‘Nowel’ crieth every lusty man.”

So, The First Noel lyrics could have been written anywhere between the late 13th century and 17th century.

Despite the song’s folk origin, it was first published only in 1823 in Carols Ancient and Modern, edited by William Sandys, an English solicitor. He was enthusiastic about Christmas carols and gathered an entire collection.

A decade later, the hymn again appeared in Gilbert and Sandys Carols, published by William Sandys and English politician Davies Gilbert.

The Christmas hymn tradition in England was a long-standing one, stemming from pagan times when wassailers sang to cider trees in orchards during winter solstice celebrations to please the God of harvest.

However, by the 19th century, the custom began to die out, and Sandys, concerned that Christmas celebrations were on a steep decline, wanted to revive the tradition.

The Frist Noel presents historical interest for two reasons. Firstly, what is a carol? We’re used to calling “carols” songs associated with Christmas, but The First Noel is commonly performed for Epiphany because of its references to the Three Wise Men.

Although the first verse of the hymn describes the shepherd’s admiration of Jesus, the following stanzas focus on the journey of the Magi from the East in search of the Messiah and their gifts.

Back in the day, people sang carols during all high seasons of the Christian year, including Easter and the Holy Week, but later, they were limited to Christmas. Hymns composed for other religious occasions typically had no ascribed author and were spread orally.

In contrast, Christmas hymns are part of the literate song tradition, which allows us to trace their origin and early versions. Many Christmas hymns have definite authorship, although the history of some is obscure.

Secondly, The First Noel differs from most English folk melodies because it contains one musical phrase repeated twice. It’s atypical for its region of origin from the musical standpoint. The tune bears a resemblance to the medieval storytelling form chanson de geste.

This musical structure was widespread among 11th-12th century clerics in northern France, which makes sense considering that Cornwall, situated in the southeastern part of England, lies directly across France.

Initially, the hymn had nine stanzas, but the modern version only contains five. The First Noel’s original version goes further into describing how the Magi worshipped Jesus and declared him the Savior of mankind.

In the last stanza, the author writes that if we do well in our time, we shall be free from death and hell and receive a resting place prepared for us by God, wrapping up the preceding verses.

The First Noel has numerous musical settings, the most common nowadays in the U.S. being the arrangement composed by John Stainer and first published in Carols, New and Old in 1871.

The hymn’s lyrics have also seen numerous changes, which isn’t surprising taking into account its long history and initial oral distribution.

Perhaps, the most famous The First Noel recording made in the 20th century was made by Mariah Carey. It peaked at No. 62 on the South Korea International chart but never saw the success of her other Christmas tracks.

Whitney Houston’s The First Noel’s best version was No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Gospel Streaming Songs chart, No. 12 on the U.S. Gospel Digital Songs chart, and No. 99 on U.S. Holiday 100 chart.

The carol got its portion of screen fame, featured in the 1985 movie Brazil and 1970 sitcom The Brandy Brunch.

In 2003, BeBe Winans released a solo version of the hymn. Other notable covers were made by Pentatonix, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

Meaning

The First Noel begins by describing how shepherds guard their flock on the fields on a cold winter night when they hear the angels say, “Born is the King of Israel!”.

Every Christian knows this part of the nativity story – shepherds were the first to witness the miracle of Jesus’ birth, informed by the angel Gabriel. However, not everyone knows why shepherds were the first to see Jesus.

At the time of Jesus’ birth, shepherds were considered unclean because they dealt with dirty sheep on a daily basis. However, only men considered shepherds outcasts of society – for God, all people are equal. This very thought is reflected in the nativity story.

The last line is another biblical reference in The First Noel. Jesus is called the King of the Jews or the King of the Kings because he, as the true king, leads his people and rules over the Kingdom of God.

Jesus’ reign is not temporary like the reign of any other king, and his kingdom cannot be destroyed. Jesus is called the king of the Jews in Zechariah 9:9 when he rides into Jerusalem on a donkey and crowds worship him.

The First Noel emphasizes Jesus’ role as the king of the Jews in every stanza. In the second verse, “they” look up in the sky and see a star shining far, and the light of that star continues day and night.

It’s easy to guess to whom the author refers as “they” – the Three Wise Men. A prophecy foretold that a new star would appear in the sky when the Messiah was born, and the Magi followed it to find Jesus.

The next verse continues this thought, narrating Magi’s journey to a country far with the intent to worship the new king. The star shines day and night, indicating that it isn’t an ordinary event.

The star beaming great light may also be a reference to Jesus as the light of the world, sent by God to save humankind by granting us salvation. Jesus guided people to the light of heaven through his word.

In the following stanzas, the Three Wise Men find Jesus and enter the stable. They fall on their knees to worship him and present him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Some scholars suggest that gold, frankincense, and myrrh were common gifts to royals at that time and didn’t bear any symbolism, but the Magi gifts are a powerful theological reference.

Gold was a metal of kings. By presenting Jesus with gold, the Magi acknowledged him as the king of the Jews. His reign transcends all earthly rulers, including King Herod, who later attempted to kill Jesus.

Frankincense was used as a perfume by wealthy people, but Magi brought it to Jesus for a different reason. High priests used frankincense in religious rituals, so this gift affirms Jesus as both a man and a God.

Lastly, myrrh was used in medical treatments and for embalming bodies. By presenting Jesus myrrh, the Wise Men foretell his fate to die for our sins, recognizing him as our Lord and Savior.

With his sacrifice, Jesus grants us a chance for eternal life which would be impossible without shedding blood. Myrrh also appears in John 19:38 – Nicodemus brings it to Jesus’ burial.

Each stanza ends with the phrase, “Born is the King of Israel!” emphasizing that people shall follow Jesus to get redemption. Only by being faithful to God can we live forever.

The last stanza of the traditional version of The Frist Noel encourages people to praise God, who created heaven and earth out of nothing and granted us a second chance by sending the Messiah.

The First Noel is essentially a Happy Birthday song dedicated to Jesus with a focus on the Magi. Most Christmas carols narrate the nativity story from the beginning, describing Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the moment of Jesus’ birth.

However, The First Noel omits these details, jumping right into the action. It begins the moment after Jesus’ birth, focusing on how the world reacts to the event and the Magi foretelling Christ’s fate.

The goal of this hymn is to outline the role of Jesus in Christian lives and encourage us to celebrate Christmas with joy by reminding us that his earthly life won’t be long, teaching us to value God’s gift and Jesus’ sacrifice.