"Caroling during Christmas..."
22 Dec '14 05:59Originally posted by Grampy Bobby"Caroling during Christmas..."
"Caroling during Christmas..."
* "The First Noel
The Origin: The First Noel is unknown in origin but is generally thought to be English dating back to the sixteenth century, as a peasant folk song. All historical evidence indicates that the song emerged from the remote Cornwall region of southwest England in the mid 16th century. Whoev ...[text shortened]... in 1871. Variations of its theme are included in Victor Hely-Hutchinson’s “Carol Symphony.” (3 of 4)
* "The First Noel The Song:
“The First Noel” encompasses both accounts of our Lord’s adoration, beginning with the account in Luke 2 of the shepherds and in the middle regarding the Magi of Matthew 2:1-12. The annunciation to the shepherds and the adoration of the shepherds are episodes in the Nativity of Jesus described in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Luke 2:8-20. As noted previously, the Star of Bethlehem appears in the story of the Magi, the Wise Men, in the Gospel of Matthew. It does not appear in the story of the shepherds.
Luke 2:8, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.”
Mat 2:2, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
“The First Noel” portrays, in vivid narrative style, the story of the birth of Christ. All six verses are needed to complete the entire event when the hymn is sung. The sixth stanza urges us to join together to sing praises to God for the marvels of His creation and for the salvation provided through Christ’s shed blood. It is interesting to observe that the “King of Israel” was first announced to “certain poor shepherds” only, but in the final stanza the phrases “let us all” and “mankind hath brought” remind us that Christ came to redeem the whole world.
“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.”
Refrain: “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.” Refrain:
“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.” Refrain:
“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.” Refrain:
“Then entered in those wise men three, full rev’rently upon their knee, and offered there, in His presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense.” Refrain:
“Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heav’nly Lord, that hath made heav’n and earth of naught, and with His blood mankind hath bought.” Refrain:
Therefore, let us allow the joy of Christ’s birth to be reflected on our faces and heard in our glad singing of praises to Him all through this Christmas season." (4 of 4)
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