Earlier this week I greeted a store clerk with “Merry Christmas” and in return received a beaming smile.
“You’re the first person to say that to me this year!” she enthused. “Merry Christmas to you too!”
Technically, this woman and I were rushing the season by several weeks. According to the centuries-old church calendar, the Christmas celebration only extends from December 25 to January 6.
In these three to four weeks (depending on the year) leading up to Christmas, we ought to be offering one another a different greeting: “Happy Advent.”
And what exactly is Advent? The word comes to us from Latin, adventus, which means coming. It’s a season not just of waiting for Christmas, but also a time to anticipate the second coming of Christ.
For that reason, many churches will sing the ancient Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” perhaps this Sunday. Dating from the eighth century, it’s probably the oldest song of the season that we still sing today.
It’s also considered one of the most important songs in the history of the Christian faith [1]. The lyrics beautifully weave together the Old and New Testaments, telling the story of our Messiah, “the chosen one,” who would come to deliver his people from the consequences of their sins and establish his kingdom forever [2].
Each verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” directs our spiritual eyes toward Christ’s return by remembering his first coming, then hoping, anticipating, and yearning for his second coming [3], expressed in the soulful tune of the verses.
In contrast, the assertive “Rejoice! Rejoice!” of the refrain conveys the joy of assurance: Our Emmanuel has come, he is with us now in spirit, and he will come again “in the same resurrected, glorified body in which He ascended to heaven” [4].
The unknown lyricist carefully based each stanza on scripture. You’ll find a number of references listed at the end of this post for further reflection.
Please join me over the next few weeks as we delve into the meaning of this grand hymn.
Today we’ll consider verse one and the refrain that put us in the first century with those who ached for the Messiah to come. And yet the lyrics also speak to us today as we long for him to return.
I praise you, Lord Jesus, for being my Emmanuel (“God with us”) [5].
You are with me when:
- Frustrations build
- Fear begins to rise
- Circumstances overwhelm
- Disappointments deflate my spirit
- My heart aches
You are with me to:
- Help in every situation
- Supply guidance, strength, comfort, provision, and more
- Fill my heart with your fullness of joy as I focus on who you are and what you’ve done
- Grant me peace of mind as I trust in you
- Give me hope based on your fail-proof promises
I praise you, Lord Jesus, for these facets (and many more) of the abundant life you offer, when I avail myself of your enduring influence.
Even so, like the captive Jews in Babylon centuries ago, many mourn in exile here [6]. This world is a painful place as self-centeredness, greed, injustice, rage, war, lust and more create havoc. We long for your kingdom of righteousness, justice, peace, love, joy, and prosperity.
Yet I still praise you, Lord Jesus! When the time was right, you came to pay the ransom for our souls and release us all—Jew and Gentile alike–from the bondage of sin and Satan [7].
Then you invite us to dwell in your spiritual kingdom with you. And those of us who accept your invitation will one day dwell in your wondrous heaven.
Even now as we grieve the suffering caused by sin and imperfection, we rejoice that when the time is right, you will return to earth, Lord Jesus, to end all suffering and receive us into your flawless and glorious kingdom.
Thank you, dear Christ, for making it possible.
[1] Ace Collins, Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, 127.
[2] Isaiah 59:20; John 1:40-49; Romans 6:23; Revelation 11:15
[3] https://www.danielim.com/2017/12/19/the-hidden-theology-and-history-of-o-come-o-come-emmanuel/
[4] https://carm.org/about-jesus/will-the-second-coming-of-jesus-be-a-literal-bodily-return/
[5] Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23
[6] Psalm 137:1-4; Psalm 119:136-138
[7] Luke 4:18; Romans 2:11-21
Photo credits: http://www.picryl.com; http://www.pixexid.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.stockvault.net (Mirko Fabian); http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net (George Hodan).