Uncle Theology.
Uncle Theology · John & Them · Track 11

Noel

John & ThemTrack 11 of 11
Listen
About this songThe deep descent of the Creator born of the creature — clasping the Ancient of Days as the Infant of Days. R.G. Lee’s “from the glory place to the gory place” framing the old carol.
SourceThe spoken intro and outro adapt R.G. Lee’s famous meditation on the incarnation — “from the glory place to the gory place.” The sung verses are the traditional carol “The First Noel” (public domain).
About R.G. Lee →
Big ideaThe Creator was born of the creature — the One who rested motherless on the Father’s bosom now rests fatherless on a woman’s. Because we cannot ascend to Him, He descended, all the way from the glory place to the gory place.
Doctrine
Incarnation · Humiliation of Christ
Anchor text
Luke 2 · John 1 · Philippians 2
Form
Spoken-word + carol
Voices
R.G. Lee · trad. carol
Spoken Intro (R.G. Lee)

Christ who in eternity rested motherless upon the Father’s bosom and in time rested fatherless upon a woman’s bosom, clasping the Ancient of Days had become the Infant of Days.
What deep descent from the heights of glory to the depths of shame; from the wonders of heaven to the wickedness of earth; from exaltation to humiliation; from the throne to the tree; from dignity to debasement; from worship to wrath; from the halls of heaven to the nails of earth; from the coronation to the curse; from the glory place to the gory place!
In Bethlehem, humility and glory in their extremes were joined. Born in a stable! Cradled in a cattle trough! Wrapped in swaddling clothes of poverty! No room for Him who made all rooms! Not place for Him who made and knows all places!
Oh, deep humiliation of the Creator – born of the creature, woman! But in His descent was the dawn of mercy. Because we cannot ascend to Him, He descends to us.

The First Noel (traditional lyrics)

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay tending their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

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

They lookèd up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
Over Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie;
One entered it them for to see,
And found the Babe in poverty.

Then entered in those wise men three,
Full reverently upon the knee,
And offered there, in His presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Between an ox stall and an ass,
This Child truly there He was;
For want of clothing they did Him lay
All in a manger, among the hay.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heav’nly Lord;
That hath made Heav’n and earth of naught,
And with His blood mankind hath bought.

If we in our time shall do well,
We shall be free from death and hell;
For God hath prepared for us all
A resting place in general.

Outro (R.G. Lee)

What deep descent from the heights of glory to the depths of shame! (AMEN!)
from the wonders of heaven to the wickedness of earth; (AMEN!)
from exaltation to humiliation; from the throne to the tree; (AMEN!)
from dignity to debasement (AMEN!)
from worship to wrath; (AMEN!)
from the halls of heaven to the nails of earth (AMEN!)
from the coronation to the curse; (AMEN!)
from the glory place to the gory place! (AGAIN!)
from the glory place to the gory place! (AGAIN!)
from the glory place to the gory place! (PRAISE JESUS)

Scripture References

  1. Luke 2:1-20
  2. John 1:1-14
  3. Philippians 2:5-11
  4. Isaiah 9:6-7
  5. Hebrews 2:14-18

Study this song

Teaching aids drawn from the song — for personal study or group discussion.

How the song moves

1
The deep descent
Clasping the Ancient of Days become the Infant of Days — from the throne to the tree, the glory place to the gory place (Philippians 2:5–8).
2
Humility and glory joined
Bethlehem: no room for Him who made all rooms; humility and glory in their extremes meet in a manger (Luke 2:7).
3
The First Noel
The old carol carries the shepherds, the star, the wise men — “born is the King of Israel” (Luke 2:8–20; Matthew 2).
4
He descends to us
“Because we cannot ascend to Him, He descends” — the dawn of mercy in the descent (John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14–18).

Key terms & allusions

  • R.G. Lee · “from the glory place to the gory place” — Robert G. Lee (1886–1978), Southern Baptist preacher famous for his sermon “Payday Someday.” The spoken intro and outro adapt his meditation on the incarnation.
  • Ancient of Days / Infant of Days — “Ancient of Days” is God in Daniel 7:9, 13; the paradox is that the eternal God became an infant of days.
  • “The First Noel” — A traditional English carol (first published 1823), public domain. “Noël” is from the Latin natalis — “birth.”
  • the humiliation of Christ — The descent of Philippians 2:5–8 — “He emptied Himself… even death on a cross.”
  • “He descends to us” — The logic of the incarnation (John 1:14): God comes down because we cannot climb up.

Discussion questions

  1. R.G. Lee piles up the contrasts — “throne to the tree,” “coronation to the curse.” Why does Christmas need Good Friday to be understood?
  2. “No room for Him who made all rooms.” Where do we still have no room for Christ?
  3. The carol was sung first to “certain poor shepherds.” What does the audience of the announcement tell us?

For contemplation

  1. Sit with “the glory place to the gory place.” What does the depth of the descent say about the worth He places on you?
  2. Is there “no room” for Him in some corner of your life this season?
  3. “Because we cannot ascend to Him, He descends to us.” Where do you need to stop climbing and receive?