A lot of words and phrases around Christmas, and Christianity in general, have lost their meaning to most people. We use them without understanding what they actually mean, having only a vague concept of what they are related to. Noel is one of those words. It is associated with Christmas, and has several root meanings including relating to birth and birthday. The most important, however, is Good News. That is what the angels came to proclaim to the shepherds. That is what John the Baptist, Jesus and the apostles shared with the world: the Good News. This news is not just that of Jesus’ birth, but more importantly of what His birth meant: salvation is here!
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.
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.
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.
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
o'er
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay.
Then entered in those Wise Men three,
full reverently upon the knee,
and offered there, in his presence,
their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
The song The First Noel tells the story of the first Christmas, Jesus’ birth. It is a story we are all so familiar with it ceases to lose its wonder, but it has a call to action that we often miss. The song is ultimately a call to worship as the shepherds and wise men did. This is the birth of the Son of God. He left His place in heaven on the throne, gave up His rights, and humbled Himself so that He could take our place, die for our sins, and save us from the wrath of God. This is not just good news, it is the best news! We do not have to remain slaves to sin. We don’t have to die a sinner’s death and pay for the wrong we have done. There is redemption and forgiveness available for any who will believe!
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.
What does Christmas mean to you? Does the weight and depth of what happened influence your life? Will you respond to this call to worship God for the Good News of Christmas?
Song text taken from https://hymnary.org/text/the_first_noel_the_angel_did_say
