December 22, 2021 - Matthew 2:1-12

It is so important that certain traditions are preserved by families each year. Somehow it is not Christmas unless those annual rituals are kept and cherished. It could be the reading of Scripture before opening gifts or the making of a special meal that will create memories among the family.

One of the songs of Christmas is The First Noel. This song has a French origin in the 15th century, yet very little is known of the source. The song was brought across the English Channel by troubadours and appeared anonymously in 1823 in a hymnal written by Davis Gilbert. Taken from a poem and put to music, this hymn portrays in vivid style the story of the birth of Christ. All six verses are needed to complete the entire story of the life and death of Christ. The song brings praise to God for His coming and subsequent salvation through Christ's shed blood.

The First Noel was sung primarily as a Christmas Eve song in England as the people sang popular religious songs outside the church instead of within the building. The word for "Noel" has a Latin root which means birthday. The repetition of "Noel" in the refrain is equivalent to our singing "happy birthday" to someone and was intended to be a joyous occasion as people went about the town.

Perhaps you will have the opportunity to go out caroling or taking a group of people out to an Assisted Living center to celebrate the season to friends or people who may become friends. Remember that you are celebrating the birth of Christ. Wish people a Merry Christmas and then perhaps singing "The First Noel" would be a unique way to conclude the festivities, ending with "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Starting a new tradition singing together "The First Noel" and "Happy Birthday" would be a fun way to celebrate the birthday of Christ!