DAY 24

 EVERY TRIBE, LANGUAGE, PEOPLE, AND NATION

“The First Noel” recalls for us a bit about the shepherds and the wisemen and their place in the birth narrative of Jesus.  In the second to last stanza it reminds us of the posture that the wisemen took when they found the Christ child.  They fell “reverently upon their knee.”  But we do not simply remember the posture they took.  The song challenges us to do likewise.  The final stanza says,

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.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

We, like the wisemen, should have an attitude of worship when we come before Christ.  They knew that this was no ordinary child.  Indeed, he was not.  It was through him that all was created.  And it is by his blood that he has purchased his creation again for himself.  Revelation 5:9 declares about Jesus, the Lamb of God,

And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation,

 This Advent season, remember that Jesus came to purchase people from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

THE FIRST NOEL

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 its 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 entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their 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 nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!