ARTICLES

"NOEL – NOW ALL IS WELL" 2009 Prophetic Word

by Mari Anne Andersen

The word "noel" has taken greater shape and deeper meaning for me this Christmas season and has resulted in my utter delight as well as great joy of good tidings. I desire to share with you what I sense and feel deep within my bones - what "Emmanuel" has spoken for this season as well as the coming new year.
....................................................................................................................................................................................................

There is a great transition taking place and we are lining up in position to be commissioned into new places He has prepared for me, for you and for those who call upon Him as Lord and Savior and as "Daddy." The Heavens are preparing for a new host of angels to be released to earth to set forth a conquering and triumphing happening. Much is taking place all around. All that can be shaken is being shaken, and things that need to be uncovered are being uncovered; no longer are they in darkness or secrecy but in light and truth. This is NOT a time to retreat or feel defeat but a time to advance in our rejoicing, proclaiming, and withstanding, to see "Emmanuel" - the God that is with US.

As you know the Lord gives me a new word for the coming New Year, and I get excited when He starts to confirm and unfold more of the meaning. Praying for this New Year and planning some of what the Father is desiring for Tommy, myself and Freedom House, we are convinced more than ever it is He who arranges and brings things together - not by our striving or figuring things out but by simply holding onto His coattails and letting Him lead. It becomes effortless as we just follow Him.

"Divine in 2009 and ALL will be just fine" - yep - that's the word for me, for you and for Freedom House. I even heard the Lord whisper in a very quiet, soothing and comforting sound of "shhh, everything will be ok - shhh, everything will be just fine." Just as a father or mother comforts a little one that might feel restless, fearful, or fretful, He is wooing you into a place of peace and a place of His presence.

This brings me to the title of this article, " Noel," and how I felt I needed to read about some of our great Christmas carols of the faith and to share. They reveal the inspirational meaning as well as the richness of the Christmas season and how Noel truly confirmed the word for this New Year.

Some scholars claim the word, noel, is of French origin, signifying "a shout of joy" at the birth of the baby Jesus, while others, pressing further back into medieval Latin, say it is derived from a familiar word "natalis" which means birth, having to do with the birth of our Lord; hence we speak of Christmas as "His natal day." There is another Latin word that some claim as the real grandfather of "noel," the word "novella" which means news, conveying the idea that the news of the coming of Christ caused the shouts of joy associated with Advent. (For more information on this - read Stories of Christmas Carols by Ernest K. Emurian). Undoubtedly, the word "nowell" first started out as a phrase instead of a single word, and these four words were; "Now all is well!" It seems very reasonable to think that our forefathers greeted one another on Christmas morning with "now all is well," that Christ the Savior is born. As they spoke out this truth, I believe what they were truly confessing and expressing was the word of the Father in flesh appearing, "now all is well" for Christ is born this day, and peace on earth, good will to men, from heaven's eternal King.