The First Noel
Lionel Richie Lyrics

The song "The First Noel" talks about the story of Jesus' birth, according to the Christian faith. It describes an angel telling poor shepherds about the birth of a king in Bethlehem. The shepherds go to see him and behold a star that leads them to his manger. Then, three wise men come to visit and offer Jesus their precious gifts. The whole song revolves around the meaning of the word "Noel", which is French for "Christmas" or "a shout of joy". The repetition of it at the end of each verse adds emphasis to the joyous occasion.

The first verse sets the tone of the song and starts with "The First Noel, the angels did say." The word "Noel" here announces that something wondrous has happened. The shepherds are the first ones to receive the news of the birth, which also symbolizes how God chooses to reveal Himself to the lowliest and the humblest. The bleak setting of fields where they watched over their sheep on a cold winter's night only enhances the contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary.

The second verse talks about the star that the wise men follow to reach Jesus, which represents the divine guidance that led them to Him. They offer their gifts to the child and worship him, just as Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God and worthy of adoration. The repetition of "Noel" is even more joyful here because it celebrates both the gift of the wise men and the miracle of Christ's birth. The song ends with the singers proclaiming the King's name and with the word "Noel" ringing out one final time, signifying a full-circle return to the joy that the song began with.