
There’s something about The First Noel that feels like a warm hug on a frosty winter night. It’s one of those carols that sweeps you away to a peaceful countryside, under a blanket of stars, where shepherds once stood in awe of an angelic message. The melody is both humble and majestic—a rare combination that invites you to reflect on the beauty of the Christmas story while filling your heart with a quiet sense of joy.
What makes this song so special is its simplicity. The word “Noel,” meaning “Christmas” or “birth,” is repeated like a gentle refrain, reminding us of the miracle at the heart of the season. It’s not about grandeur; it’s about celebration, reverence, and gratitude. Whether sung by a choir in a candlelit church or softly hummed while wrapping gifts, The First Noel has this way of centering you, making you pause and truly savor the moment.
The origins of this song are just as fascinating as the feelings it evokes. It’s believed to date back to 16th or 17th-century England, yet its universal appeal has crossed centuries and continents. Maybe it’s the timeless storytelling in the lyrics, or maybe it’s the soulful rise and fall of the melody—either way, it resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. It feels like a piece of history wrapped in hope.
If you close your eyes while listening to or singing The First Noel, it’s easy to imagine the shepherds trembling with wonder or the night sky blazing with the brilliance of angels. This carol takes us there—it takes us back to the heart of Christmas, to a moment where divine and human met in perfect harmony
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Lyrics
The first Noel, the angels 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
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
Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
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
Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel
Born is the King
Born is the King of Israel