THE FIRST NOEL, THE ANGELS DID SAY, was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay. Say what?
What is a “noel” and why are the angels saying it? A little online research will tell us that “noel” has a few possible meanings. It could be the title of episode #32 of the television show, “The West Wing,” or the Micmac Indian name for when “ice cakes float freely.” It could have even referred to the medical research term used when the highest dose in a toxicity study results in no-observed-effect level (NOEL), though I sincerely doubt that one.
All kidding aside, “Noel” derives from the Old French as the word for Christmas. It most likely finds it roots in the Latin natalis, meaning birthday, as in natalis dies Domini “birthday of the Lord”. So, there you have it, the angels were declaring a Merry Christmas to the first community of celebrants, the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem.
This first Christmas greeting was one of “good news of great joy that would be for all people.” The good news that a Savior had been born, the Messiah they had historically hoped for, the One who had been promised through the Prophets, was now here. Yes, this was truly good news of great joy! News that would travel throughout the country-sides of history unto our own day, when we too join with the heavenly host in proclaiming a Joyeux Noël!
May your Noel be filled with His joy!