Happy holidays from the Hammer Museum! Over the next two weeks, we will be sharing holiday-themed artworks for the #HammerHolidays.
The traditional English Christmas carol “The First Noel” is about the first Christmas, yet the word takes on different meanings throughout the song.
This word “noel” has multiple meanings and origins. The Latin word “natalis” means the birth of Christ, and it is possible that the English carols uses this root of the word, “noel.” This seasonal word could also originate from the Old French “noel” which means “the Christmas season.” This meaning of the word is still in use, since French speakers say “Joyeux Noël ,” which translates to “Merry Christmas.” There is a third meaning of the word “noel” which has origins in England and means, “a Christmas carol.”
Ready for this? “The First Noel” is a noel (Christmas carol), sung during noel (the Christmas season), is about a noel (the first Christmas carol) celebrating Noel (the birth of Christ). Whew!
Gerda Becker With, Untitled (Christmas Card with angel), 1959. Card. Sheet: 8 1/8 x 16 1/2 in. (20.7 x 41.9 cm). Collection UCLA Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts, Hammer Museum.