Christmas Countdown 2014 - The meaning of Noel #18

Today at a craft class my students were making the book cover signs and someone asked what the word NOEL meant.  I did not have an answer nor did anyone else in the room.

So, I did a little research.  I found that Noel has a variety of meanings depending on the language you are using.  One site said that in Hebrew it means the Arrival of God. Broken down NO means to come, or arrival.  EL is the Hebrew word for God. 
Other sites stated Noel means Christmas or arrival of Christmas.  Which if you think about it means the same thing since on "the first noel" Jesus Christ was born.  I pray that each person reading this blog knows the one true God who arrived on "the first noel".

In Luke 1:28 the angel Gabriel tells Mary "Rejoice, so highly favored! The Lord is with you." Don't you think Mary began from that day forward to prepare for NOEL - the arrival of God?  As you prepare your home and gifts for family and friends also prepare your heart for the arrival of the Christ child.  For He is the reason for the season.  Only 18 days left!

Danna