Kanthi Church choir Christmas Eve 2023 - The first Noel.
Good Evening everyone. Greetings to you all in the blessed name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we celebrate this Christmas season, our thoughts turn to that sacred event long ago when the Prince of Peace and the Light of the World was born.
The carol that we have chosen "The First Noël" tells the story of this holy night.
The popular Christmas Carol, The First Noël, is believed to date from the 13th or 14th century. Originating in Cornwall, in South West England. Noël is the French word for Christmas.
The carol First Noël describes the story from Luke chapter 2, which explains how the Bethlehem shepherds, the first to hear of the Savior’s birth from an angelic messenger,
were also the first to declare the glorious news to the world.
Citizens of Cornwall would sing the carol in streets outside of churches, and the unique and beautiful song would latch onto all who heard it, its melody bringing joy, its lyrics bringing hope.
The First Noel survived and spread across the earth for centuries before being first transcribed in 1823.
Davies Gilbert and William Sandys gave new life into the ancient song. Sandys constructed a new arrangement for the carol, while Gilbert added new lyrics.
The First Noel was written as a way to express the excitement and wonder of Christmas.
Hundreds of years ago, during a time without internet or phones, the people of Cornwall sang it in the streets as a way to spread hope and joy.
The world may look very different today, but we still gather to sing the song for the same reasons.
The song is a testament to the fact that no matter what the earth looks like, no matter how much time passes, the encouraging story of Jesus' birth will always connect with the hearts that are desperate for Him.
On behalf of our choir team i would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and May each of us be blessed during this joyous time of the year.
Thank you.😊