In 1833 William Sandys wrote the hymn, “The First Noel.” The song details the story of Jesus birth, with each verse of the hymn telling a new part of the story, separated by the chorus refrain, “Noel! Born is the King of Israel!” The word “Noel” is a French word for Christmas that comes from Latin roots that mean “New birth.” Therefore, the song is ultimately about how the “new birth” of Jesus in Bethlehem’s stable leads to the New Birth of the people of God in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” Again Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3:3-8, “‘I [Jesus] tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ’How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ’Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sounds, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’”
These verses talk about the new birth that believers in Jesus Christ have. A Christian’s “second birth” occurs because in Christ, their full identity has changed. The core identity of who they were before Christ was an “object of wrath” before a Holy God. After trusting in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, the Christian’s core identity is as a child of God . . . an heir according to His promise.
What this means is that believers in Christ celebrate the first birth of Jesus because it provides for them their new birth into the family of God. That is why the sixth verse of this hymn has such power to me. It begins, “Let us all with one accord . . . ” Since this song has been sung for 185 years now, our voices join the “one accord” with literally millions who have sung this very song. The verse concludes with declaring the reason for our cross-generational unity, “With His (Jesus) Blood mankind hath bought.” Because of the blood of Jesus Christ, all believers now have a second, “new” birth. With this in mind, the chorus sounds off like a 1930′s newspaper salesman shouting, “Extra, Extra, read all about it!” The chorus shouts out, “New birth! New birth! New birth! New birth! Born is the One who brings us new birth!
Think about that as you reflect on the lyrics of this great Christmas hymn this season.
The First Noel
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!
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.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
This star drew nigh to the northwest
O’er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both Pause and stay
Right o’er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
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!
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