December 16, 2005

Have faith in God –
The answer to life’s quest;
Have faith in God –
The first, the last, the best;
Have faith in God –
And leave to Him the rest.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

The First Noel

Unknown

    The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:20.

    No one is sure about the origin of this carol, but most experts believed it to have had its rise in France dating, back to the 13th or 14th century when miracle plays were a popular way to spread the gospel.
    Noel is the Old French word for Christmas, derived from the Latin, natalis, meaning birthday. Related words are found in many languages around the world. Nowell in Old English, Natal in Spanish, Natale in Italian, Nadal in Provencal. These were expressions of great joy, originally shouted or sung to commemorate the birth of Christ.
    The song is thought to have been brought across the channel to England by the wandering troubadours. Others, apparently struck by the Three Wise Men's politeness to a foreigner, contend it couldn't possibly be French, and has English roots.
    The carol under the English form, "Nowell", became a great favorite for Christmas Eve, especially in the west of England. At this time carols were thought of as popular religious songs meant to be sung outside the church rather than within.
    The combination of tune and lyrics we sing first appeared in Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern, by William Sandys (London: Richard Beckley, 1833).
    The First Noel portrays in vivid narrative style the story of the birth of Christ. All seven verses are needed to complete the entire event when the hymn is sung.

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay tending their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

Then wise men lookèd 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
Those 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,
And they followed the star 'til it took its rest;
And then it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie;
One entered it them for to see,
And found the young child in poverty.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

Then entered in those Wise Men three,
Full reverently upon the knee,
And offered there, in His presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
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 naught,
And with His blood mankind hath bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission