The First Noel: A Birthday Like No Other
2019-12-01
Key Verse: Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
Noël is the French word for Christmas and is from the Latin natalis, meaning“birthday.” Most medieval poetry was written to be sung, so it is presumed that the words were written with an existing tune in mind. … ‘The First Nowell‘ was first published in Gilbert’s Some Ancient Christmas Carols in 1823.[1]
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.
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.
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 Bethlehem it took its rest;
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.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.
The announcement of His birth was:
1. Delivered to people just like you and me
Luke 2:8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Matthew 2:1-2a Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?
2. Confusing and Scary
Luke 2:9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Matthew 2:3-6 When Herod the king heard this,he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6‘Butyou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;For out of you shall come a RulerWho will shepherd My people Israel.’
3. Life-Changing
Luke 2:10-11 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Matthew 2:7-8 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him,bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.
4. Miraculous
Matthew 2:2b For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:9-11a When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him…