Three weeks ago we embarked upon a reflection of one of the most important songs in the history of the Christian faith: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
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 [1].
Each verse helps us place our eyes on Jesus’ return by remembering his first coming and then expressing hope and yearning for his second coming [2].
As noted before, the unknown lyricist (from the eighth or ninth century) carefully based each stanza on scripture. You’ll find references for further reflection listed at the end of this post.
One fact not mentioned thus far: the poet constructed the Latin lyrics in the form of a seven-sentence acrostic. When the first letter of the second word of each sentence (the names of Jesus) are put together, they spell SARCORE.
Read that word backwards, and the letters form two words of sublime hope: Ero cras, which means, “I will be present tomorrow.”
Whatever the future may hold, our Emmanuel will see us through. What a faith-stirring surprise the lyricist created for us [3]!
Now let’s turn our attention to the last two verses [4].
VERSE SIX
I praise you, Lord Jesus, that just as the morning star shines brightly against the darkness of night, you are the glorious Light of the world, shining brightly against the darkness of evil [5].
Just as the morning star glows steadily without a flicker, you shine in our lives with unwavering faithfulness and love [6].
Just as the morning star is a promise of coming day, your light provides hope and assurance that you will come again, to usher in The Day of the Lord, when a new heaven and a new earth will be established and righteousness will dwell [7].
Finally, just as the morning star can guide those at sea, your light guides our way through life. “In your light we see light”—the light of wisdom and discernment [8].
Such truths do bring us comfort, dispelling shadowy thoughts and flooding our spirits with the light of your perfection.
I praise you, Lord Jesus, for turning the darkness of sin, anxiety, discouragement, and more, into the light of your forgiveness, peace, hope, and joy [9]!
VERSE SEVEN
I praise you, Lord Jesus, our King! How comforting to know that Someone all-wise and supremely gracious is the Ruler of all nations, all things [10].
Yet you are also a respecter of persons. You’ve bestowed upon us the gift of choice, the ability to determine our own way. And what have we accomplished? Our world is tainted by selfishness, pride, and contention [11].
How we need you, Lord Jesus! You are our only hope for our selfishness to be transformed into selflessness, pride into humility, and contention into unity.
So we boldly pray that every person on earth would come to faith in you [12].
Is that an unattainable dream? No, because you also are unwilling that anyone should perish. And all things are possible with you, our sovereign God and Savior [13].
After all, you:
- Created all things everywhere
- Maintain order in the entire universe
- Control the course of human history
- Depose kings and raise up others
- Exist in all places at the same time [14]
I praise you, Lord Jesus, that nothing can prevent you from accomplishing your purpose [15].
And I praise you, Lord Jesus, that you’ve given us the wherewithal to experience harmony with one another, as we demonstrate love and compassion with humility [16].
May we be examples to the world, whetting their appetite for what we experience: the joy of living in the presence of the King of Peace [17]!
[1] Ace Collins, Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas,127; Isaiah 59:20; John 1:40-49; Romans 6:23; Revelation 11:15.
[2] https://www.danielim.com/2017/12/19/the-hidden-theology-and-history-of-o-come-o-come-emmanuel/
[3] https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/o-come-o-come-emmanuel
[4] From www.hymnary.org. (Lyrics vary depending on source.)
[5] Revelation 22:16
[6] Psalm 100:5; John 8:12
[7] 2 Peter 3:12-13
[8] Psalm 36:9b; Ecclesiastes 2:13-14
[9] Psalm 18:28
[10] Revelation 19:16
[11] Proverbs 5:23
[12] 1 Timothy 2:1-4
[13] 2 Peter 3:9; Mark 10:27b
[14] Colossians 1:16-17; Daniel 2:21; Jeremiah 23:23-24 GNT
[15] Psalm 115:3
[16] 1 Peter 3:8
[17] Psalm 16:11
Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.stockvault.net; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.stockvault.net; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pickpik.com.
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Oh, such hope and joy in these final verses, Nancy! Thank you for doing this series for Advent, my friend. You have certainly helped us prepare our hearts for Jesus to come into them at this Christmas season and always.
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. Praise God you found hope and joy here! I’ve certainly been blessed myself by the research and reflection. Merry Christmas to you, blogger friend!
I was curious as to why the English version of this hymn had pleasingly rhythmic end rhymes since it was translated from Latin. I looked it up and it appears that the Latin version has end rhymes, too! Thank you for your in-depth reflections about “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel,” Nancy. The information you’ve provided is fascinating and I enjoyed your pictures, as well. 🙂
Thank you for researching and sharing why the lyrics rhyme in English. Another interesting bit of history behind this hymn! I’m also glad you found this mini-series interesting, Nancy. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you! Merry Christmas to you and your family, too, my dear doppleganger!
😁
Nancy, what a beautiful series on this amazing hymn. I have enjoyed each one immensely!
I’m so glad, Pam. The lyricist certainly packed his lines with a great deal of truth, with much to think about between-the- lines also! / Merry Christmas to you, Pam. I’m picturing you surrounded by your children and grandchildren, seated around one of your gorgeous tablescapes, and enjoying a meal that everyone has contributed to!
Oh I really like that little piece you shared with the word Ero cras, “I will be present tomorrow.” What a future we have when we place our trust, hope and faith in Him who cares and loves us unconditionally.
Amen, Alicia! Just that short sentence alone conveys such hope. And what a clever lyricist to not only create such a meaningful acrostic, but to use it backward. I can only imagine that when he first shared the lines perhaps with a friend, he hinted at the literary device used and watched with delight as the reader/listener discovered the “secret” message!
❤️I love that!!!
praise is such a powerful practice. Your words invited me to pause and consider Morning Star – what a beautiful image of Christ that is. Much more than I realize. Merry Christmas, Nancy!!
Thank you Jean. I agree–praise offers many benefits to the spirit, and Morning Star is a beautiful, meaningful image for our Savior. Merry Christmas to you too, my friend!
This has been my favorite Christmas hymn for years, and now you’ve made it even more powerful with the perspective of each of the verses. “Ero Cras” is an incredible reminder of the presence and permanence of Jesus for us. Thanks for this wonderful series.
You are so welcome, Dayle. I’ve certainly learned and benefited from the research and reflection. I too find that statement “Ero Cras” to be deeply meaningful. It’s well worth repeating each day to remind us that Jesus is indeed with us ALWAYS. Merrry Christmas to you and your family, Dayle!
Thank you for such great encouragement, not only for this Christmas season but for every season of our lives. May you and your family have a very Merry Christmas as you celebrate God with us! Blessings, Nancy.
This hymn does convey sublime encouragement, doesn’t it? It IS one we should sing throughout the year, “for every season of our lives” as you say, to remind us of our hope in Jesus. / Thank you, Patty, for your Christmas blessing. We do anticipate a very Merry Christmas as the whole family gathers–an infrequent occurrence. May you also enjoy a very Merry Christmas!
What a great thing the seven-sentence acrostic. Thanks for sharing this insight to the hymn. Merry Christmas.
You’re welcome, Barb. I’m so glad you found these reflections meaningful. Merry Christmas to you and your family also!
I have enjoyed your Advent series. Emmanuel is one of my favorite names of God; what reassurance! As a word lover, I am fascinated by the acrostic. Thanks for sharing during this season.
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed this series, Linda. Emmanuel is indeed a reassuring name of Jesus for us to focus on. / Yet another thing we have in common: a love of words! I too was delighted to learn that this glorious hymn also included a hidden message, in the form of an acrostic (backwards, no less)! I pray you and yours are able to celebrate together a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you for exploring in depth this wonderful Christmas hymn. It is very reassuring to me how these verses remind us of God’s total control over everything, including rulers of nations. Indeed, nothing prevents Him from accomplishing His purposes. Where Satan stirs of chaos, our Savior maintains order. I so look forward to living forever in peace and in worship of our Redeemer. (I especially loved learning about the SARCORE and how it relates to the Latin lyrics.)
isn’t that “secret message” delightful? I loved learning about it too. I also benefited from reviewing the glories of our Savior mentioned in this hymn. He IS indescribable (2 Corinthians 9:15), but when we try, our gratitude grows!
Hi Nancy,
Hope it was a great Christmas. Enjoy your new year. Hope 2024 will be awesome. Thanks, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Thank you, Gary. We reveled in a glorious Christmas with our three children, their spouses, and three grandchildren. The house was filled with noise and laughter, we enjoyed some stellar meals together, and fun excursions. We made many happy memories, some recorded in my gratitude journal, to treasure for years to come. / May 2024 be a blessed year for you and your family also, Gary!
Thank you. You, too.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
God’s peace is with us at all times and in all places! This was a wonderful Advent post, but it is good for today as well. Our Lenten journey is almost over…Only a little over a week until Easter!
I’m so glad you found the post meaningful for this Lenten season as well as Advent, Linda. Praise God we have Easter to look forward to!