Advent Devotional: December 22

In late medieval England, the songs you'd likely hear people singing on the streets or in homes were called "carols." These songs were somewhat similar to oratorios (like Handel's "Messiah") in that they told stories. However, you might remember that oratorios were extraordinarily long - an entire performance, actually, lasting a few hours. Conversely, carols were much simpler, shorter, and memorable, and the tunes were easy to remember (not to mention they were much more accessible for the common person with no background in music). They were songs everyone knew, and sang, though no one knew who wrote them (similar to how we sing nursery rhymes or "Happy Birthday" today).

"The First Noel is one of those popular carols that found its way into the everyday lives of the people in the 14th-16th centuries. It tells the story of Noel (meaning "Christmas," or in Latin, "birthday"), but as a carol, it wasn't intended for concert halls or even churches. For that reason, "The First Noel" was never considered to be a "hymn" until more recently. Nevertheless, it has found its way into our hymnals and churches today because of its enduring legacy, accessible tune, and biblically accurate theology (all necessary components of a hymn) concerning the Messiah's birth. As a simple re-telling of the nativity story, "The First Noel" stands in good company with other Christmas hymns like "Silent Night, Holy Night," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and others.

Interestingly, some believe that the way we sing the first line of the refrain is a corruption of the original. Instead of repeating "noel" four times, it is thought that the line was originally sung as one long, drawn-out "N-O-E-L," and the other three "noels" were written as harmony parts. Personally, I'm doubtful since it would contradict the accessibility that is supposed to characterize carols. Try it, and you'll see what I mean (you'd be holding the word for almost five measures in one breath)! It's not impossible, but you definitely have to think twice about taking a long breath before starting the refrain.