2007-12-11 16:57:28 · 7 answers · asked by Ben Z 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
"The first nowel" does NOT mean "The first Christmas". It means "The first joyous declaration 'Christ is born'"
The use of "Noel" or "Nowel" you are looking at does not precisely mean "Christmas". It is more closely related to the word's use to refer to a Christmas CAROL, specifically to the CONTENT... what the carol's words are about.
As you can see from the etymology notes some have given, this French word (from Latin), refers to the BIRTH of Christ. It came to mean "birthday of Christ" but ALSO to refer to the expressions of joy, declaring the NEWS of that birth --lines such as "Christ is born today!"
This to speak or sing "Noel" (or "Nowel") is to speak or especially sing song declaring the joyous news "Christ is born".
You can see how this works if you look at the full lines of the carols that use this word
"The first nowel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds, in fields as they lay . .
What it's referring to is the glad news the angel declares angel (as told in Luke 2), "For to you is BORN this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord"
This meaning is obsolete EXCEPT for its use in Christmas carols, and may not always be listed in dictionaries under "noel". You are MORE likely to find it under the variant form or the word, "nowel" (which, by the way, is the proper spelling for the carol "The First Nowel")
example - from Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary: - definition for "Nowel"
1. Christmas; also, a shout of joy at Christmas for the birth of the Savior. [Obs.]
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nowel
You can see more evidence of the meaning of the word in the carol "The first nowel" in the song's CHORUS:
"Nowel, nowel, nowel, nowel! Born is the King of Israel!"
It's a joyous proclamation.
Compare other carols, such as "Sing we now of Christmas, sing we here 'noel'"., Other songs have that long string of "Noel, noel, noel, noel..." You might compare the use of songs with many repetitions of 'Alleluia' (originally from Hebrew "Hallelujah" meaning "Praise the LORD!")
2007-12-12 22:30:53 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Noel Noel Song
2016-09-30 08:59:22 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
What does Noel mean as in the first Noel. Why do they say that.?
2015-08-18 12:37:38 · answer #3 · answered by Aurthur 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first Noel is the birth of Jesus Christ. Noel means X-mas.
2007-12-11 17:00:45 · answer #4 · answered by fdm215 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It comes from the Latin word "natalis" meaning "birth". The first noel refers to the birth of Jesus. I don't know why they call it the first, and cannot find it in the 8 references I checked.
2007-12-11 17:19:37 · answer #5 · answered by ♂ ♫ Timberwolf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Noel is a masculine French given name derived from noël (Christmas). The feminine form is Noelle. It is derived from the Latin (dies) natalis, referring to the Nativity of Christ, the original form being Noël and Noëlle."
That was my prom date's name and he was born in June?
2007-12-11 17:01:11 · answer #6 · answered by mina74 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Noel is how the Call Papa Nicholai, in France, I know they have a story about that... it can also be about Noel being peace and how the shoemaker was the bringer of peace.
Jeux Noel...
2007-12-11 17:00:29 · answer #7 · answered by Eirene Goddess of Peace 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It was the first noel (christmas) because that was the day that Jesus was born. Although his true birthday has been disputed.
2007-12-11 17:00:43 · answer #8 · answered by Andy D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Noel, i believe, means peace. I guess it would be the first peace on Earth since it was the arrival of Christ.
2007-12-11 17:00:05 · answer #9 · answered by Jasx501 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋