what does the word " noel" mean?

Question

we sing it in church at x-mas .....

Answer 1

Actually, in the use YOU are referring to "noel" (also spelled "nowell") does NOT mean "Christmas" as many assume, though it is based on the same root.

In most Christmas songs, it means "the joyous declaration that 'Christ is born!'. Thus, for instance, in "The first nowel" that line means"The first joyous announcement 'Christ is born'"

Now the French word from which "noel" comes (originally Latin) refers to BIRTH, and has come to be used to speak of the birth of Christ. Thus the word came to mean "birthday of Christ" (that is "Christmas"). But it ALSO can be used for the expressions of joy, declaring the NEWS of that birth --lines such as "Christ is born today!"

Thus 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This meaning is obsolete EXCEPT for its use in Christmas carols, and may not always be listed in dictionaries under "noel".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/n...

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'".

Answer 2

It means 'Christmas' in French.

> Joyeux Noël ( = Merry Christmas)

EDIT: Thanks Bruhaha for the explanation. I knew the etymology of the word as refering to the birth of Christ but I was wondering why in America what means Christmas to me (since I'm a native French speaker) was used on Christmas decoration and in carols. Now I know!

Answer 3

Leon backwards

Answer 4

Christmas for Church.
It can also be a last name in French.