During the Christmas season, we hear the song “The First Noel” everywhere we turn to—so what exactly is the meaning and origin of the word “Noel” in the Bible? Since the term doesn’t pop up during our regular Sunday services or in the Easter period, you know it relates to Christmas.
But there’s so much more about Noel that you need to learn and understand. And in this article, I’ll discuss the meaning, origin, and importance of the word “Noel” to us as Christians.
Meaning and origin of Noel in the Bible
The term “Noel” is an old French word that comes from the Latin word “natalis,” meaning “birth” or “birthday.” There’s also a possibility that Noel was derived from the French phrase “bonnes nouvelles,” which translates to “good news” in English.
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Early Christians associate the word with the birth of Christ, using the phrase “dies natalies,” meaning “day of birth.” As the years went by, the phrase changed to “Nael” in Old French. Later, the word “Nael” evolved into “Nowel” before finally becoming the popular “Noël” or “Noel” that we’re all familiar with today.
During the Middle Ages in France, people began to relate Noel to Christmas and as a shout of joy, just like saying “Merry Christmas.” Hence, the townspeople would joyfully greet one another with “Noël” or “Joyeux noël” (Merry Christmas) on Christmas Day in celebration of the birth of Christ. Over time, the English speakers embraced the word, and it had become a common term in the Christmas celebrations.
It’s worth knowing that there’s no mention of Noel or Christmas throughout the Bible. But during the 4th century, certain Christian groups set apart December 25th to celebrate natus Christus, meaning “Today Christ is born.”
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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
No doubt, “The First Noel” is one of the greatest Christmas carols of all time. Without this amazing and inspirational Christmas song, the choir list of carols is incomplete.
The First Noel was originally published in the book Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern in 1823, specifically in William Sandy’s carols collection. The song’s title was formerly “The First Nowell,” from Cornish origin, before it was changed to the modern English word “The First Noel.”
There are powerful messages of freedom, hope, and the fulfillment of God’s promise in the song lyrics. It tells the biblical story of a series of events that took place during the birth of Jesus Christ, the king of the Jews and the savior of the world (Luke 2:1-40).
When Jesus Christ was born, the angels first shared the good news with the poor shepherds watching their sheep at night.
Likewise, the song speaks of how the magi went in search of Jesus to bear gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Finally, it encourages us to sing praises to the Lord who shed His blood on the cross for our sins.
“Noel” is not just a word associated with the celebration of Christmas; it’s a divine message of God’s love to us. Let’s discuss the importance of Jesus’ birth to believers in Christ.
1. It Reminds Us of God’s Faithfulness
From scripture, we learn that the birth of Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6).
Therefore, the birth of Christ is one of the solid proofs that God is faithful and His promises never fail. When you study the word of God, hold on to His promises for your life with faith in your heart. And those things that look seemingly impossible will begin to fall into place for you.
2. Noel Teaches Humility
Jesus was born in a manger, and the first people to know about His birth were poor shepherds. If God wanted Jesus’ birth to take place in the most expensive hospital, it would have been possible.
Similarly, the angels did not announce the good news of Christ’s birth to kings and princes but to the lowly people of the society—the shepherds. We also notice that most of Jesus’ teachings center around humility in the sight of God and man.
Since Jesus is the perfect example of humility, you should emulate Him in your Christian journey. The Bible says, “God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
3. It Inspires Us To Spread the Gospel
Immediately after the shepherds heard and confirmed the news of Jesus’ birth, they began to spread the message about Him. In the same way, you should willingly and boldly share the good news of Christ with as many people as possible.
In Mark 16:15, Jesus commands us, His followers, to “go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”
For this reason, be intentional about spreading the love of God with people in your neighborhood, at your place of work, and everywhere you find yourself. Let people know you’re a true Christian through your speech and behavior.
Jesus Christ, the son of God, delivered us from the bondage of sin. In addition, He gave us a new life and the hope of eternal life. And one of the ways to express the love of Christ is by sharing the gospel with unbelievers.
Kennie Oguntoyinbo is a freelance content writer, editor and proofreader with over 4 years of experience. She is highly skilled in creating captivating and informative content across the Christian, relationship, and parenting niches. With a deep love for Christian-related articles, she writes content that inspires the readers, combining biblical lessons with practical knowledge. Whether writing devotional blogs, relationship advice, or family-focused articles, she aims to glorify God while connecting with readers through relatable, encouraging, faith-driven articles.
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