Wednesday, Day 17 - The First Noel

It is Wednesday of the third week in Advent. I have made many trips to England. I began going in the early 1990’s and have continued to go for now almost 30 years. I honestly don’t know how many times I’ve made this trip, but it’s over 40. In the beginning most of these were ministry related trips; but in 2004, our daughter married a Brit (as I’m fond of saying) and her family lives - now - in Wales, so we have had a different incentive for these trips since then.

We have made a number of friends over the years, and have explored a lot of the country-side. One of my favorite places in England is in the southwest, Cornwall. A lot of Wisconsinites don’t realize that Cornish miners were some of Wisconsin’s early pioneers as they opened mines in areas like Mineral Point digging for Zinc and Iron. You can still buy a “Pasty” in the Red Rooster restaurant - a very Cornish dish.

Now, what does it have to do with Christmas and Carols? One of the carols of Christmas we sing is “The First Noel”:

1 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.

Refrain:
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.

2 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. [Refrain]

3 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. [Refrain]

4 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. [Refrain]

5 Then entered in those Wise Men three,
full reverently upon the knee,
and offered there, in his presence,
their gold and myrrh and frankincense. [Refrain]

Noel sounds French, but in fact, the song originates as a Cornish Folk song. The oldest versions of it have “Nowell”. Noel is an old English word for Christmas. The song’s author is unknown, but it seems to have been an old folk song from centuries ago. The words are not arranged with the touch of a skilled composer, so it seems the song was constructed as most folk songs are...without the refinements of musical genius. Still, it has all of the stories of Christmas from Scripture combined in one song!

It was originally put into print with musical chords in 1823 by William Sandys. It was listed then as a Cornish folk tune. There is some reason to think it may have been derived from the French in the 1500’s. The word “Noel” is a word derived from a Latin word that means “Birthday”.

The song has a place in the village life of poor peasants who - tradition has it - brought the “Yule log” (think large trunk of a tree) into the village on Christmas Eve, and began to burn it. The Yule log (also brought into homes in a smaller way) became a tradition as it burned through the next 12 days of Christmas. After the Christianization of Europe from paganism, the Yule log became a symbol of Christ's work against evil and his eventual triumph...first on the Cross, and then ultimately in his second coming.

All of this is interesting, but “The First Noel” made its way into the traditional carols of Christmas and is a favorite of choirs and Christmas carolers today.

Among the many artists who have done this song, this is simply done but beautiful too.