Peace, Joy, Noel!

Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. (Luke 2:14)

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God. (Isaiah 9:6)

I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and of heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27)

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt. (Zechariah 9:9)

But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:10-11)

When [the wise men] saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11)

Every year we sing, “The First Noel.” I have a tree ornament that says Noel. I know I’ve looked it up before, but I’ve also forgotten! So I looked it up again … and very simply, Noel is the French word for “Merry Christmas.” It can also mean “All is well,” or “Christmas Carol.”  There are varying opinions … I like this one, from a Kentucky Lutheran church:

There are two schools of thought on this. Some believe that the word comes from the Latin natalis (birthday) and refers to Jesus’ birthday. Others believe that it derives from the French nouvelles (news), and so refers to the good news (the Gospel) of Christ’s birth, which the angels announced on the first Christmas when Christ was born. The second meaning seems to be the way the word is used in most carols, such as the “First Noel,” that is, the first proclamation of the good news.

My prayer is that you are experiencing a precious advent, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

With Love,

Dianne