Luke 2:8-14
Those who know me well know that I LOVE Christmas music. And yes, I am one of those people who listen to it year-round. The depth of the lyrics draws me into worship regardless of the season. One of those songs is “The First Noel”, especially a version I discovered by Tommee Profitt a couple of years ago.
Noel – we see this word every Christmas season on cards, ornaments, wrapping paper, decorations, etc. It is sung out at worship services across the world. But what does Noel mean? I discovered with a little bit of research that Noel originally in French means “news” but it’s Latin origin is the word for “birth”. Centuries later it would mean “shouts of joy” in English. So, if I combine those three meanings Noel is a joyous declaration to the world that a child has been born and dwells with us!
“Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given”
Isaiah 9:6
Christ came in the flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14) – and because He left heaven to live and to die, we can experience Him dwelling with us today. Because of the greatest gift mankind could ever receive was given then all can be well within us and His peace can envelop every aspect of our lives regardless of the circumstances that surround us.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15
Let the words of this magnificent hymn wash over your soul….
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.
So….For the weary soul – Noel
For the lonely and outcast – Noel
For the world crushed under the curse of sin – Noel
For the heart weighted down with guilt and shame – Noel
For the one waiting on God to answer your prayers – Noel
The message of Noel isn’t just for Christmastime. The “first” Noel was spoken to the shepherds, but the countless proclamations of this news continues today. We can live in the promise of Noel year-round praising our God above for the blessed gift of His Son over 2,000 years ago and the continued gift of His presence in our lives today.
Merry Christmas and NOEL!
Melodie
WHBC Admin Assistant