Joyful Song Storytelling

A few years ago I was asked to do a program on Christmas music. When I began researching, I was amazed at the variety of Christmas songs about the Savior’s birth. There were songs from all throughout history and all around the world. Some were more low key and introspective, while others were more upbeat and joyful.  One of my new and current favorites is a French carol called “Sing We Now of Christmas.”  This joyful song in a minor key (not a common occurrence!) uses five verses and a repeating refrain of “Sing we noel! The King is born, Noel! Sing we now of Christmas; sing we all noel!” to tell the highlights of the Christmas story.

The writer of this song, much like the writer of “The First Noel,” used the poem as storytelling. Listen for the different parts of the Christmas story – Christ’s birth, the angels telling the shepherds, the shepherds arriving at the manger, the visit by the Magi, and the gifts brought by the Magi.  Then hear the joyfully repeating chorus, “Sing we noel!  The King is born, noel!!” 

1 Sing we now of Christmas,

Noel, sing we here!

Hear our grateful praises

to the babe so dear.

Refrain:

Sing we Noel, the King is born, Noel!

Sing we now of Christmas, sing we now Noel!

2 Angels called to shepherds,

“Leave your flocks at rest,

journey forth to Bethlehem,

find the Child so blest.” [Refrain]

3 In Bethlehem they found him;

Joseph and Mary mild,

seated by the manger,

watching the holy child. [Refrain]

4 From the eastern country

came the kings afar,

bearing gifts to Bethlehem

guided by a star. [Refrain]

5 Gold and myrrh they gave him,

gifts of greatest price;

there was ne’er a stable

so like paradise. [Refrain]

A “noel” is a word we English speakers borrowed from the French language. It originally came from the Latin word natalis, which can mean “birthday” or “of or relating to birth.”  When we sing a “noel” we sing a joyous song of Jesus’ birth.  

As we sing all our various Christmas carols this year, may our spirits know the Joy of the Lord!!

Joyful God,

We sing our songs to you who are famous for your miracles and marvels, you who are victorious through your mighty power and holy strength. We thank you for the many Christmas carols we sing that help to tell the story of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for your justice and salvation offered through Jesus, and for your love, faithfulness, and kindness. With the joy and passion of the angel chorus at Jesus’s birth, we shout for you and sing songs to you, our Lord and King, our Messiah, in whose name we pray, Amen.

“Go ahead—sing your brand-new song to the Lord!

He is famous for his miracles and marvels,

for he is victorious through his mighty power and holy strength.

Everyone knows how God has saved us,

for he has displayed his justice throughout history.

He never forgets to show us his love and faithfulness.

How kind he has been to Israel!

All the nations know how he stands behind his people

and how he saves his own.

So go ahead, everyone, and shout out your praises with joy!

Break out of the box and let loose

with the most joyous sound of praise!

Sing your melody of praise to the Lord

and make music like never before! 

Blow those trumpets and shofars!

Shout with joyous triumph before King Yahweh!

Let the ocean’s waves join in the chorus with their roaring praise

until everyone everywhere shouts out in unison,

“Glory to the Lord!”

Let the rivers and streams clap with applause

as the mountains rise in a standing ovation

to join the mighty choir of exaltation.

Look! Here he comes! The Lord and judge of all the earth!

He’s coming to make things right and to do it fair and square.

And everyone will see that he does all things well!” (Psalm 98:1-9 TPT)