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“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord'" (Luke 2:8-11).

At a Christmas Banquet we attended I noticed one of the musicians providing entertainment was wearing a button. From a distance it looked like one of those protest buttons and I thought it rather tacky to wear such a button on a festive occasion. After the concert I went up to meet him and got a better look.  It didn’t take me very long to get the message he was conveying on his button (photo on the left)! It was a clever witness but not very clear to the casual observer that he was wearing a button that had an L slashed through (No L or Noel).

The word Noel comes from the French word Noël meaning "Christmas song", from the Latin word natalis "birthday".  Some older hymnals spell it Nowell. The first Noel was the first Christmas carol.

The original version of the First Noel dates back to at least the 17th century. In 1823, William B. Sandys (1792-1874), and Davies Gilbert (1767-1839) edited and added lyrics to create the version we sing today. The origin of the current melody is uncertain. Some historians think that the traditional melody originated in France as early as the 1200s.

It is an English carol that was sung by the village people as they brought in the Yule log on Christmas Eve each year. They would burn the Yule log to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness – a really happy thought in a place like England where the winter days are very short and the winter nights are so long. When the village gathered to sing carols of this sort, very often a choral group would sing the verses, which not everyone would know, and then the whole village would join in singing the chorus.

Praise God for this marvelous angelic message of good tidings of great joy that is at the very heart of the Christmas message. The very first recipients of the message were "shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night". These fearful and startled shepherds were unlikely recipients of the most remarkable birth announcement of all time, thus the phrase “The First Noel”.

Although angels announced the message to the shepherds I’m especially encouraged by the phrase "which shall be to all people".  That includes you and me!

Have you ever been in a setting and you’re not quite sure you belong there?  Have you ever heard a great offer and you’re not quite sure it’s for you? Well, in the birth announcement the angel of the Lord makes it very clear the extent of this offer. The angel went on to declare the inclusion of the lowly shepherds, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The greatest birth provided the greatest gift to meet our greatest need.

What are you dealing with today? What’s troubling you? We remind you today that the One who met your greatest need is also interested in every one of your needs, both great and small. He cares about your sick spouse, that wayward child, the persnickety boss, and for some the physical suffering you're enduring due to the aging process. And we especially consider those whose loneliness consumes their thoughts due to the recent death of a loved one.

Today let’s turn in faith to Christ and, even in the midst of our burdens, remember the following important truth: The God who has taken care of our greatest need will also take care of our every need!

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer:   Father, we thank You for Your Son Jesus, who, by His coming to earth and dying on the cross, made it possible for us to be saved for all eternity. He came for the lowly shepherd on the hillside, the king who sits on the throne, the influential, the lesser known, and the unknown – all can be saved because of Your provision through Jesus. We are grateful for the birth of Jesus and with gladsome tidings we celebrate His birthday. Amen.