The First Noel: Embracing Joy, Hope, and Love

Devotional

Day 1: The Birth of Virtues

The birth of Jesus, the first Noel, is not merely a historical event but a present reality that infuses our lives with virtues such as joy, peace, hope, and love. As we light the Advent candles, we are reminded of these gifts from the Holy Spirit, which are birthed in us through Christ. This season invites us to reflect on how these virtues manifest in our daily lives and how they can transform our interactions with others. The presence of Christ in our hearts is a continuous source of these virtues, encouraging us to live in a way that reflects His love and grace. [01:44]

"For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true, and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively cultivate joy, peace, hope, and love in your daily interactions this week?

Day 2: A Heavenly Carol

The first Noel began with a heavenly carol, a song sung by angels that continues to inspire Christmas carols today. This tradition of singing is a reflection of the worship of heaven, reminding us of the divine celebration of Christ's birth. The celestial song, "Glory to God in the highest," marks the beginning of a tradition that echoes the worship of heaven and invites us to join in this divine celebration. As we sing these carols, we are reminded of the joy and reverence that filled the skies on that first Christmas night. [09:56]

"Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants." (Isaiah 42:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate worship through song into your daily routine, and what impact might this have on your spiritual life?

Day 3: A Thrill of Hope

The arrival of Jesus brings a thrill of hope and joy, impacting not just our thoughts but our emotions. The good news of Christ's birth is meant to fill us with happiness and hope, transforming our lives and the world around us. This hope is not a fleeting feeling but a profound assurance that God is with us, guiding us through life's challenges. As we embrace this hope, we are encouraged to share it with others, becoming beacons of light in a world that often feels dark and uncertain. [17:44]

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear a message of hope today, and how can you share it with them in a meaningful way?

Day 4: Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The virtues of joy, peace, hope, and love are gifts from the Holy Spirit, birthed in us through the presence of Christ. As we prepare for the arrival of Jesus, we are invited to experience these virtues anew, allowing them to transform our lives. These gifts are not just for our benefit but are meant to be shared with others, creating a ripple effect of love and kindness in our communities. By embracing these virtues, we become instruments of God's love, spreading His light to those around us. [20:33]

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on which of these virtues you find most challenging to embody. What steps can you take to allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate this virtue in you?

Day 5: The Light of Christ

The birth of Jesus, the Savior, is the center of all virtues. Without Christ, we cannot truly experience peace, love, hope, or joy. As we celebrate this season, we are invited to experience the light of Christ afresh, allowing His presence to illuminate our lives and the world around us. This light is a guiding force, leading us through darkness and uncertainty, and reminding us of the eternal life that Jesus offers. By embracing this light, we are empowered to live with purpose and passion, reflecting the love of Christ in all that we do. [23:36]

"For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness." (Psalm 18:28, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the light of Christ to shine more brightly, and how can you invite Him into those spaces today?

Sermon Summary

In this season of anticipation, we reflect on the profound significance of the birth of Jesus Christ, the first Noel. This time of Advent is not just about remembering the historical event of Christ's birth but also about recognizing what His birth brings into our lives today. The term "Noel" signifies birth, and as we delve into this series, we explore how the birth of Jesus gives rise to virtues such as joy, peace, hope, and love in our world and in our hearts.

We began by examining the historical account of the shepherds and angels in Luke 2, where the angels announced the birth of Jesus with a heavenly carol. This celestial song, "Glory to God in the highest," marks the beginning of a tradition of Christmas carols that echo the worship of heaven. The first Noel, a carol born from heaven, continues to inspire and bring joy to humanity, reminding us of the divine celebration of Christ's birth.

The birth of Jesus also brings a thrill of hope and joy. The angel's proclamation of "good news of great joy" is a reminder that the arrival of Jesus impacts not just our thoughts but our emotions, filling us with happiness and hope. As we light the Advent candles of joy, peace, hope, and love, we are reminded that these virtues are gifts from the Holy Spirit, birthed in us through the presence of Christ.

Finally, the most significant aspect of the first Noel is the birth of a Savior. Jesus, the light of the world, brings salvation and eternal life. The center candle, the Christ candle, symbolizes that all virtues—peace, love, hope, and joy—are rooted in Him. Without Christ, these virtues cannot truly exist. As we celebrate this season, we are invited to experience the light of Christ afresh, allowing His presence to illuminate our lives and the world around us.

Key Takeaways

1. The birth of Jesus, the first Noel, is not just a historical event but a present reality that brings virtues like joy, peace, hope, and love into our lives. As we light the Advent candles, we are reminded of these gifts from the Holy Spirit, which are birthed in us through Christ. [01:44]
2. The first Noel began with a heavenly carol, a song sung by angels that continues to inspire Christmas carols today. This tradition of singing is a reflection of the worship of heaven, reminding us of the divine celebration of Christ's birth. [09:56]
3. The arrival of Jesus brings a thrill of hope and joy, impacting not just our thoughts but our emotions. The good news of Christ's birth is meant to fill us with happiness and hope, transforming our lives and the world around us. [17:44]
4. The virtues of joy, peace, hope, and love are gifts from the Holy Spirit, birthed in us through the presence of Christ. As we prepare for the arrival of Jesus, we are invited to experience these virtues anew, allowing them to transform our lives. [20:33]
5. The birth of Jesus, the Savior, is the center of all virtues. Without Christ, we cannot truly experience peace, love, hope, or joy. As we celebrate this season, we are invited to experience the light of Christ afresh, allowing His presence to illuminate our lives and the world around us. [23:36]
** [23:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:44] - The First Noel: A Birth of Virtues
[02:59] - Thanksgiving and Its Connection to Advent
[05:02] - Sarah Josepha Hale and the Birth of Thanksgiving
[07:21] - The Advent of Jesus and Its Impact
[09:56] - A Carol is Born: The First Noel
[13:52] - The History of the First Noel Carol
[15:53] - The Spirit of Christmas and Heaven on Earth
[17:44] - A Thrill is Born: Joy and Hope
[18:43] - Advent Candles: Joy, Peace, Hope, Love
[20:33] - The Holy Spirit and the Birth of Virtues
[22:17] - The Good News of Great Joy
[23:36] - A Savior is Born: The Center Candle
[25:42] - The Light of Christ in a Dark World
[28:55] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Sermon Clips

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"This is the season where we're anticipating the arrival of Jesus Christ. If you haven't seen the Nativity story, it's a great movie. This is the holiday season where we start watching Christmas movies and we start listening to Christmas songs. My kids are already listening to B101 .1, who's already begun playing Christmas songs even before Thanksgiving. That's right." [00:00:13] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Noel means birth or the birthday. It's a birthday. And so when we say Noel, we're talking about the birth date or the birthday, of course, of none other than the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. In this series, we're going to... We're going to be going through the birth of Christ, but also here's the connection we're going to make, what it gives birth to in the world and in our lives today." [00:01:12] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you. You'll find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." [00:02:15] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Well, Father God, we thank you for this first Noel, this birth of your Son, the Savior of the world, the Lord and Christ who's come to the earth to rescue us. And through this first Noel, this first birth, you've given birth to so many wonderful things in the world." [00:02:59] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"But Noel produces other Noels in our lives. It gives birth to other things. And so this Noel series, and I hope you come week after week after week, we're going to look at the various things that the birth of Christ gives birth to in our lives." [00:08:24] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The first Noel we see here that a carol is born. We're going to look at the angels' carol that they sing over these shepherds out in the field at night. But we're also going to talk about the carol, the first Noel, its own history, and how it sets up this whole beautiful season of songs to Jesus and his birth." [00:08:36] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Because Noel is a story of birth. Not only the birth of Jesus, but the birth of hope, love, joy, and peace. Please put on the screen Romans chapter 15 verse 13." [00:19:47] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The birth of Jesus Christ, just like the angels announced, is good news of great joy, and it should be a thrill of hope. Hope for your life. And if you're hopeless this Christmas season, if you're entering into the holidays, a little bit pessimistic, can I challenge you to come back and hear from God?" [00:22:24] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"You can't have the peace of Christ without the Prince of Peace. Amen? You can't experience the love of Jesus without Jesus. You can't have the hope of eternal life without the Savior who grants the gift of eternal life. All of these things come through the center candle." [00:24:25] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"That's the good news of Christmas is that in this dark, broken, fallen world, light just like those shepherds in that night sky where it was bleak and dark heaven broke into the world with the light of christ and all of the heavenly hosts with their songs and the glory of light break in to say there is still hope there is still love there is still peace and it all comes through the light of jesus christ who's been born into this world." [00:26:08] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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