The First Noël

By Robin Caldwell

“Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for you see, I announce to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: because today in the city of David was born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”
(Luke 2: 9-11 CSB)

Martha must have created an overwhelming list of things to do when she learned of Jesus’ visit to her home. Her chores continued past the Savior’s arrival until finally she was admonished to stop and enjoy his company.

Likewise, my Christmas list of things to do was as long as my arm and every bit as overwhelming. There were cards to mail, gifts to buy, people to visit, and tons of stuff to accomplish for what amounted to one day of celebration. One day.

And, by the end of that one day, all the emotion and energy spent was a blur. The kids opened presents and the adults picked up the mess of torn wrapping paper for the trash. Hours of food preparation equaled hours of post-meal cleaning and scraps for the dog. The adrenalin rush that provided fuel during the day was by nightfall gone—exhausted.

December 26 was anticlimactic. Four weeks or more of activity led to one day of fatigue, and withdrawal. I had to acclimate myself swiftly to the end of a chaotic season. And, for what? One day.

A radio station continued to play Christmas music, and stuck somewhere between Santa songs and the generic holiday mix was The First Noël.

“The First Noël, the Angels did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay.
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
on a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël.
Born is the King of Israel!”

It dawned on me that the first Noël was uneventful for all of its participants except for God, Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus. To the innkeeper, the day was at best an inconvenience—he had some woman giving birth in his barn. He certainly wasn’t in a hurry to do last minute shopping, or to get home and wrap presents, or watch It’s a Wonderful Life on television. And he certainly wasn’t interested in celebrating the birth of the Savior.