Could Date Back to the Middle Ages
Noel is one of the oldest Christmas ballads still sung today. Though it first appeared in print in 1833, the song goes back at least three hundred years prior to that. The exact place and time of its origin are in doubt, with both France and England claiming it as a part of their heritage. The spelling of noel would seem to indicate a French connection, though there seems to be more evidence pointing to this carol migrating from Britain to France rather than the other way around. What cannot be doubted is the faith and spirit of the song’s writer; his Christian witness comes alive each time the old carol is sung!
Noel spelling Controversy
Just as there are two different points of view as to where this carol was first written, there are also two different ways of spelling the song’s title. In England, and sometimes in America, the spelling of noel is altered, and the old carol is known as “The First Nowell.”
In France it is always spelled “Noel” What noel or nowell means in both languages is the same – a joyful shout expressing the exhilaration at the birth of Christ. Yet while the song’s anonymous writer obviously knew enough about language to use this all-encompassing term to begin the chorus, he wildly missed the mark on several scriptural points in the song. This gives us additional insight into the background of the inspired voice behind the carol.
Who Wrote the song?
This song 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 the 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 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.
This was probably the case with the composer of Noel. With no ready Bible to guide him, the writer drew from the stories he had been told about the events of Christ’s birth. Most he recounted accurately, but he erred when he depicted the shepherds following the star to Christ’s birthplace. The Bible does not mention the star with the shepherds, only with the wise men.
Another key element of this old hymn – the way it which the sentences are structured – indicates that it was written by a man with no formal language training. Phrasing in the original lyrics, such as “This child truly there born he was,” is simply not the way a learned hymn writer such as Wesley or Murray would have written. Nevertheless, the spirit found in Noel more than makes up for its lack of professional markers. That spirit, coupled with an annual Scandinavian event, probably guaranteed the survival of the old carol.
Noel, and the Tradition of the Yule Log
During the Middle Ages, English peasants had adopted the Viking custom of the Yule log. Each winter a family would go out into the woods, cut down a huge tree, drag it back home, cut away its branches, and hollow out its core. They then filled the hole with oils, spices, and other sweet-smelling ingredients, and set the log in the fireplace. Kindling was sprinkled around the Yule log, and a daughter or a wife would light the fire with a splinter left over from last year’s log. Families that burned Yule log each year believed that good luck would befall their household.
When those who embraced this custom became Christians, they adapted the Yule log to Christmas. Eventually the timber came to symbolize the wood of the cross, and the sweet packing to represent the beautiful life Christ offered each Christian. His ultimate sacrifice on that cross. The log was brought into the home on Christmas Eve and was lit. It was hoped that the home on Christmas Eve and was lit. It was hoped that the log would burn for the entire twelve days of Christmas, its embers dying January 6 the day the wise men arrived with their gifts for Jesus. If the log lasted that long, it was a sign that the household was blessed.
In England, Noel was sung each year by many peasants as they lit the Yul log. Therefore, this became the song 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, Noel survived.
For the first three hundred years of its existence, Noel, like all other carols, was not a part of religious services. New songs, even if they embraced a story from the Scriptures, were not allowed in most churches.
Because the clergy disdained carols like Noel, these songs truly become the holiday voice of the people. They related the joy of Christmas, the wonder of God sending a Son to save every man and woman, no matter their station in life. The songs became part of family tradition. Many of the holidays’ most beloved songs would have been lost if common folks had not passed them down from generation to generation.
Both Noel and the Christmas Yule log tradition found their way to France around the fifteenth century. Supposedly the song was introduced to the French people by British minstrels. Like the English, the common people of France embraced the music and the message. They also gave it their own twist: Children in this country often sang this carol as a round.
What is the first Noel meaning?
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 this song, obviously inspired by the story of the birth of a Savior and probably written by a common, illiterate man, remains one of the most loved carols of all time. Still, one must wonder why Noel has survived while thousands of other folk songs about Christmas – many of them better written- have been forgotten. Most likely because the writer brought a rare, jubilant spirit to the song.
Anyone who has sung Noel would have no doubt that the composer not only believed every word he wrote but was excited about the story he was sharing. Noel, therefore, represents the real essence of Christmas, the one element that eludes so many during each holiday season: the announcement of Christ’s arrival on earth. While the tradition of the Yule log has all but died out, the message of Noel still burns brightly.
Why do we say Noel?
“Noel” Meaning, Origin and Traditions (christianity.com)
The Story Behind: The First Noel ‣ Hymncharts.com
What is an interesting fact about the first Noel?
The First Noel – Lyrics, Hymn Meaning and Story (godtube.com)
The First Noel Lyrics
The First Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Chorus:
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.
Chorus
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.
Chorus
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O’er Bethlehem it took it rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Chorus
Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Chorus
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 has bought.
Chorus
