“And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)

“The First Noel” is one of the quintessential carols of Christ.  Like many of the carols, it rehearses for us some aspect of the birth narrative of Jesus.  In the example of “The First Noel,” it is the star, the shepherds, and the visit of the wisemen.  The retelling of the events of the Christ’s birth in these carols is not just simply to remember what has happened in the past, but they are meant to lead us to some point.  Sometimes the events are retold to lead us to a place of decision about who this Jesus is that was born.  Sometimes, as in the present case, it is to lead us to join our voices with the multitude and sing praises to our Lord for what he has done.  So I say to you, “Let us with one accord, sing praise to our heavenly Lord.”  For He “hath made heaven and earth with nought and with his blood mankind he has bought.”

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
Fall 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!