“NOEL”
We don’t know much about the origin of the Christmas carol “Noel.” It’s believed to have originated in France during the 1400′s. “Noel” is a French word, based on the Latin word “Natalis,” meaning “birthday.”
The English version, “Nowell,” was often sung on Christmas Eve in the west of England, beginning in the 1800′s. At that time, carols were considered popular religious songs, rather than hymns. Christmas carols were sung outside the church buildings during village gatherings, rather than within the church walls.
