The Christmas Carols: Past, Present, & Future HopeSample

[IMAGE CONTENT] Day 1 O Come, O Come Emmanuel Read: Romans 8:19-25; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 Some songs are old, having been sung for decades. Then there is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” This song has a history that dates all the way back to the eighth century - over 1,300 years ago! The words were originally written as a poem and not arranged to music as a Christmas carol until the twelfth century. What causes a song to endure that long? Why do we still sing it? Though the music is beautiful, there are many beautiful songs. I think the enduring nature of this song is found in its message of hope. The song is really a beautiful expectation. In fact, the poem on which it was based is arranged as an acrostic that spells the phrase “ero cras” which translates to “I will be with you tomorrow.” The underlying theme of the song is that the world is not yet what it will be. Drawing its imagery from the nation of Israel in the Old Testament days waiting for the arrival of the promised Savior, these lyrics speak of the arrival of God the Son (Jesus — “Emmanuel” means God with us), who began to make good on a number of promises God had made to His people. As we sing this song, we still have a sense of expectation. The world still is not yet what it will be. We still live in a world of sin, pain, violence, illness, etc. We long to see this world changed . . . to be redeemed and restored (Romans 8:19-25). So as we listen to “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” this Christmas, may we remember the first fruits that came from Jesus’ first coming at Bethlehem. May that bring hope that “He will be with us tomorrow.” And, when Jesus comes again, our bodies will be redeemed and the world will be restored. Therefore, we sing (and wait) with a patient hope. O Come, O Come Emmanuel O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny From depths of Hell Thy people save And give them victory o’er the grave Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel O come, Thou Day-Spring Come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death’s dark shadows put to flight Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel O come, Thou Key of David, come And open wide our heavenly home Make safe the way that leads on high And close the path to misery Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel O come, O come, Thou Lord of might Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height In ancient times did’st give the Law In cloud, and majesty and awe Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel