Born in Orange County son of well-known worship leader John Wickham. He moved to San Diego in the middle of junior high school, which spawned his career. Asked by his youth pastor to lead worship at the age of 12, Wickham accepted, encouraged by his father then a worship pastor at Chuck Smith's Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.
By 18, Wickham had released his debut CD, Give You My World, including the hit song "Shining." Surprised by its good reception, he began working on twelve new songs for his self-titled album, which was released on April 25, 2006 with Simple Records.Wickham's second release with Simple/INO Records, Cannons, was released in 2007. Cannons was inspired by cannon explosions and C.S. Lewis's book, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader from The Chronicles of Narnia series. Wickham stated in an interview with ChristianityToday.com that the album is "about how the universe is exploding with the glory of God, and how we are compelled to join in with its song." The 10th track from Cannons, "Jesus Lord of Heaven", has been translated into seven different languages. On August 8, 2008 Wickham released a live worship album titled singalong, recorded at Solid Rock Church in Portland, Oregon with 3000 fans present. The album was released as a free download, only available from his website, and received over 8,000 downloads within a week of being released. After the release of his singalong album, his self-titled debut climbed to No. 25 on iTunes Top Christian Albums chart (2 years after its initial release).
Wickham visits churches across the nation to play his music.
He recently (June 2008) performed at the Frenzy one-day Christian music festival, in Scotland.
The First Noel
Phil Wickham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
The King is born, the King is born, the King is born
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
The King is born, the King is born, the King is born
Let angels adore Him, all bow before him, the King is born
The First Noel is a traditional English Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The lyrics begin with the announcement of the angels to the shepherds of the birth of Christ in a humble manger. The shepherds, who are initially filled with fear, are ultimately filled with joy upon witnessing the birth of the King of Israel. The song not only celebrates the birth of Christ but also the coming of the Messiah and the redemption of humanity. The use of the word Noel is an old French word that means Christmas or Christmastime.
The first verse of the song describes the setting of the birth of Christ, which is in a humble manger surrounded by shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. The next verse describes the appearance of a bright star in the sky that led the wise men to the place where Christ was born. The chorus, which repeats the word Noel several times, emphasizes the joyous occasion of the birth of the King of Israel and highlights the importance of the celebration of Christmas. The last verse serves as a call to action for people to worship and adore the King who has been born.
Overall, the lyrics of The First Noel convey the message of the birth of Jesus Christ in a humble manger, and his significance as the King of Israel who came to redeem humanity, and it emphasizes the importance of the celebration of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
The first Noel, the angels did say
The angels proclaimed the initial message of the birth of Jesus
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
The message was first delivered to humble and lowly shepherds resting in the fields
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
The shepherds were attending to the sheep in the fields where they were resting
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
The night was dark and cold, as it was in winter
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Rejoice, for the message is repeated and celebrated
Born is the King of Israel
The long-awaited King of Israel, Jesus Christ, has been born
They looked up and saw a star
The shepherds looked up and saw a bright star in the sky
Shining in the east beyond them far
The star was shining from the east, far beyond their location
And to the earth it gave great light
The star illuminated the earth with its brightness
And so it continued both day and night
The star kept shining both day and night, guiding the way to the newborn King
The King is born, the King is born, the King is born
Jesus Christ, the King, has been born
Let angels adore Him, all bow before him, the King is born
The angels worship Him and all should bow before the new King who has been born
Contributed by Kaelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cheryl McDougall
You just can't help but feel HOPE when you listen to Phil Wickham's version of this song! Soaring and beautiful!
Vernell Anthony Davis
I come back to this song every year. Love you PhiL!♥️🙌🏾
Tiffany Gwinn
Definitely my favorite version of the first noel. :)
Gregory Quint
5 years later...I still agree with you! See you in the clouds soon in the rapture!
Zach Harder
My church always did this arrangement when I was a kid, hearing this song brings back such great memories. I love it!
Kim Acker
I just LOVE the way Phil Wickham sings this song! Definitely one of my favorite Christmas songs.
Nneoma
time for this jam again! it's almost Christmas praise Jesus
Jessica Hernandez
Love this version
Tom Vecchione
Very nice version of this classic Christmas song. Agree with the others here, great vibe!
Joshua Rushing
maybe my favorite version of the song - ever. Love the vibe!