The First Noel
J. Williams Lyrics


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Noel, Noel
Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter 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

This star drew nigh to the Northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay

Noel, Noel




Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel

Overall Meaning

The song "The First Noel" is a classic Christmas song that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. In the first verse, the lyrics convey the message that the King of Israel has been born, with the word 'Noel' repeated twice. The following verse takes us back to the time when the angel appeared to the shepherds, announcing the birth of Jesus Christ. The shepherds were amazed to hear the news, and they went to visit the baby in Bethlehem. The lyrics describe how the shepherds saw a star shining in the East, which gave great light, and how it continued to shine both day and night. The third verse explains how the star drew closer and closer to the Northwest until it stopped right above the place where Jesus Christ was born.


The song tells the story of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, with the shepherds and the bright star bearing witness to this event. The lyrics are filled with imagery that highlights the wonder and majesty of the occasion. The repetition of the word 'Noel' throughout the song emphasizes the joyous nature of the birth of the King of Israel. The song is a perfect choice for Christmas celebrations and reminds us of the true meaning of the holiday.


Line by Line Meaning

Noel, Noel
Christmas time is here.


Noel, Noel
Christmas time is here.


Born is the King of Israel
The Savior has come to bring salvation to the people of Israel.


The first Noel the angel did say
The first proclamation of Jesus' birth was made by an angel.


Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
The shepherds were the first to hear the news of Jesus' birth.


In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
The shepherds were working when the angel appeared to them.


On a cold winter night that was so deep
It was a cold, dark, and quiet night when the shepherds received the message.


They looked up and saw a star
The shepherds saw a miraculous sign in the sky.


Shining in the East, beyond them far
The star was visible in the distance, in the direction of the East.


And to the Earth it gave great light
The star's light was so bright that it illuminated the Earth.


And so it continued both day and night
The star's light never faded and continued to shine both day and night.


This star drew nigh to the Northwest
The star moved closer to the shepherds' location, in the direction of the Northwest.


O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
The star eventually stopped over the town of Bethlehem.


And there it did both stop and stay
The star remained stationary over the town of Bethlehem.


Right over the place where Jesus lay
The star was positioned directly above the house where Jesus was born.


Noel, Noel
Christmas time is here.


Noel, Noel
Christmas time is here.


Born is the King of Israel
The Savior has come to bring salvation to the people of Israel.




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Traditional

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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