The First Noel and Other Carols Quiz

Answer: The First Noel

"The first Noel..."

Originally the name of the song was "The First Nowell", with "Nowell" being an Early Modern English word which came from the French "Noël"; it originated with the Latin "natalis", meaning day of birth. The carol is believed to be Cornish in origin, and could date back to as early as the 1500s or 1600s. Over time, the word noel has also been used to mean a Christmas song or carol.

By the way, the word carol was derived from either the Latin "carula" or French "carole", meaning circular dancing. Pagans are believed to have held hands and formed a circle while dancing and singing.

Answer: The First Noel

"...the angels did say..."

"The First Noel" appeared in print in 1823 in a book called "Carols Ancient and Modern", which was edited by William Sandys and Davies Gilbert. They also published it in later books as well, adding verses over time. Composer John Stainer composed the melody in 1871, and published it in "Carols, New and Old" the same year.

The vision created in this line of the song, conjures thoughts of the annunciation of Christ's birth by the angels. Luke 2:13 says that a multitude appeared to give the good news. So the angels did a bit of caroling on that first Christmas night, singing "Glory to God in the Highest", to announce the birth of Christ.

Answer: The First Noel

"...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..."

The story in the song is taken from Luke 2:10, which recounted the angels appearing to the shepherds to announce Christ's birth, "bringing good tidings of great joy". This is seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's later teaching, which was recorded in John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep".

Quick Fact: Pagans probably began the practice of caroling in order to help them overcome the dark, cold nights during the winter solstice.

Answer: The First Noel

"...Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel".

The song made it clear that the baby was the King of Israel who had been promised by Old Testaments prophets. People were not waiting for a political king, but a spiritual one. Other verses of the song also told about the coming of the wise men.

There have been many different variations of the song over time. The fact that songs tended to be passed down from family member to family member for centuries helps to explain why there are lyric variations for many of the well-known carols. Carols were not printed until 1562, and then it was not in a collection. Broadsides, or single sheets, were distributed for use.

Answer: Away in a Manger

"Away in a manger..."

The words for the song first appeared in print on March 2, 1882, and the original title was "Luther's Cradle Song". A caption in "The Christian Cynosure" said that Martin Luther composed the song to sing to his children. There is no credit for the person who wrote the article for the newspaper, so the authenticity of the story is in question.

Did you know? Dating to 129 AD in Rome, the first Christmas carol was sung in Latin - of course! It was called "The Angels' Hymn". The Bishop of Rome, who later became known as the Pope, ordered that everyone should sing it in a solemn fashion.

Answer: Away in a Manger

"...no crib for a bed..."

The song was another version of the story found in Luke 2:7. It focused on the fact that Christ was born of humble means "because there was no room for them in the inn".

Although this carol was been traditionally attributed to Martin Luther, today it is believed to have originated in the United States. There are two melodies commonly used; one was written by James Ramsey Murry in 1887, and the other by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895. Murry's melody is considered to be the most popular one in the U.S., and today it is attributed to Carl Mueller rather than James Murry. Somehow Mueller's name appeared on the music in 1914, but his identity is unknown. The Kirkpatrick melody is considered to be most popularly used in the UK.

Did you know? During the Middle Ages it became a tradition to go wassailing. The word wassail is derived from the Old Norse "ves heill" and Anglo-Saxon "waes hael". Both phrases mean be in good health.

Answer: Away in a Manger

"...the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head..."

While one source suggested that the carol was written in honor of the 400th anniversary of Luther's birth in 1883, there was still no mention of who wrote the lyrics.

The other verses of the carol, like this one, create a picture of peace and serenity with the Baby Jesus sleeping quietly, content with his situation. I am sure that the parents and grandparents out there would agree that all newborn babies have sweet heads!

Fun fact: St. Francis of Assisi is credited with popularizing the singing of carols, which were called canticles, when he incorporated them into his Nativity Plays, along with live animals, people, and, of course, a baby! He made one important change, however. The canticles were sung in the vernacular - not Latin!

Answer: Away in a Manger

"...the stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay".

The stars in the song may have been a reference to the star in the East that the wise men followed in Matthew 2:1-12. This part of the story was mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, and is not found anywhere else in the Bible.

This is a great song to teach children. It is simple, tells about Jesus's birth, and further verses also assure them that he will be with them and protect them.

By the way, even though the Romans did not go caroling to celebrate their Saturnalia, they did enjoy a spice warm wine, that later became part of the caroling, or wassailing, tradition. Over time the drink offered to wassailers was called wassail.

Answer: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

"God rest you merry, gentlemen..."

"God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" was also known as "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen". This was an interesting note that I have never really thought about. I always thought the gentlemen in the song were happy, but that isn't necessarily the case. "God Rest Ye Merry" was a phrase that, according to the "Oxford English Dictionary" was used to mean may God grant you peace and happiness; it dates back to the 1530s, and was even used by notables like Shakespeare in his "Romeo and Juliet".

Just so you know, the template would not let me place the comma after merry for the quiz! The punctuation at the beginning of the Interesting Information is correct.

By the way, it became customary during medieval times for serfs to go wassailing in order to visit their lord during the holiday season. He would reward them with food and drink - or maybe even a feast if they were lucky!

Answer: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

"...Let nothing you dismay
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born upon this day..."

Although some say that it dates as far back as the 1500s, the first known printed copy of the carol dates to sometime around 1760. The original author and composer are unknown. William Sandys was credited with popularizing the carol as he included it in his 1833 "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern".

The first verse of the song concentrates on the reason that Jesus was sent to earth, which is found in many places of the Bible - "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17).

Quick fact: William Sandys, and his partner Davies Gilbert, did a lot to popularize caroling when they published their collections in the early 1800s.

Answer: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

"...To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray..."

This was one of the main messages seen throughout the Gospels, a reminder that Christ's birth brought salvation from sin to everyone, and all people could be forgiven for their transgressions. Other verses of the song focused more on the annunciation of the angels to the shepherds, as told in Luke 2: 8-15.

Incidentally, did you know that Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England from 1653-1658, banished caroling as he believed it was a pagan custom? Satan was lurking about in a lot of places.

Answer: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

"...O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy".

The message that Christ is the Saviour, and forgave us for our sins should bring comfort and joy to people. In fact, one of the original titles for the song was "Comfort and Joy", and it was a theme that was very popular. There are several references to the song from the 1800s; one article in "The Gentlemen's Magazine" (1824) complained that it was the only carol ever heard.

Fun fact: Both Charles Dickens ("A Christmas Carol" 1843) and George Eliot ("Silas Marner" 1861) mentioned "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" in their books.

Answer: O Christmas Tree

"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree..."

A German Christmas song, "O Tannenbaum" began as a folk song that originally was just about a fir tree. Ernst Anschutz, who was credited with writing the lyrics, was inspired by an older song, "Ach Tannenbaum", which was written some time in the 1500s by Melchoir Franck. The song was not about a beautiful decorated indoor Christmas tree, but instead it was about one that is naturally beautiful outdoors.

Quick fact: The melody for the song "Good King Wenceslas" is considered to be the oldest melody still sung in a carol. Dating back to the 1200s, it was originally used in a carol to welcome spring.

Answer: O Christmas Tree

"...You stand in splendid beauty
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You stand in splendid beauty..."

Since ancient times people have believed that the fir tree had magical powers, and its beauty throughout the winter reminded people that plant life and greenery would return in the springtime. It was the symbol of reliability and hope, which helped people through the darkness of the winter months.

Did you know? "While Shepherd Watched Their Flocks" is considered to be the oldest Christmas hymn that is still sung today. It was first published in 1700. For many years it was the only Christmas hymn that the Church of England allowed.

Answer: O Christmas Tree

"...Your branches green in summer's glow..."

The ancient Romans brought boughs or branches into their homes and temples to symbolize life and hope during the Saturnalia. Vikings had a similar tradition during their Yule season; this tradition was connected to Yggdrasil, the sacred tree that was believed to have connected the spiritual world with the physical world.

Incidentally, Prince Albert is credited with introducing the German decorated Christmas tree in England. A picture of him, his wife, Victoria, and their family gathered around a tree appeared in the "Illustrated London News" in 1848.

Answer: O Christmas Tree

"...And evergreen in winter's snow
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You stand in splendid beauty".

Fir trees are also called evergreens because their needles are green year round.

Fun fact: Did you know that Martin Luther is credited with beginning the tradition of having an indoor Christmas tree? He put candles on the tree to symbolize the stars. They were called paradise trees and were used in plays to represent the biblical Tree of Knowledge.