The First Noel, whatever that means . . .

My gift to you: another picture by me. Merry Christmas.

I love all carols (or most of them) and have no problem listening to Christmas music starting November 1st (or the middle of July if I need a reminder that summer won't last forever). But my favorite Christmas carol is O Holy Night. And my favorite rendition/arrangement of O Holy Night is done by Celine Dion from her album These Are The Special Times. (See below). In her version she ends with the line "Noel, noel, O holy night." As a lover of words, it is surprising to me that only this year did I ever actually wonder what the word "Noel" means.

So I did some digging. There are 2 explanations or interpretations as to why we use the word "Noel" at Christmas time.

Interpretation #1: It is derived from the Latin word "natalis" which means "birthday" in English (and the origin of our word "natal" meaning "birth").

Interpretation #2: It is derived from the French word "nouvelles" which means "good news".

Interpretation #1 is the more commonly accepted view, but I love them both, in particular #2 because that is what the angel proclaimed from the heavens to the quaking shepherds:

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2: 10-11, NIV)

Good news of a birth. Noel. And that noel is what evokes, like my favorite carols goes, a "thrill of hope," as the "weary world rejoices," and "the soul [feels] its worth."

Hoping your soul, too, feels its great worth this Christmas and always. And wishing you all a blessed, merry, safe, and hopeful Christmas season.

I just couldn't let you go without letting you hear this amazing rendition of such a gorgeous carol. The lyrics are below because they are so amazingly crafted that I had to include them. These are words to savor, especially verse 3--appropriate, it seems, for all that seems to be happening in the world in which we live. Enjoy! I'll be back next Friday!

Oh Holy Night

Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine