Friday: A Hymn of Waiting: “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.” — Lyrics from the hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is a hymn with ancient origins that dates back to medieval times. Its roots are intertwined with the rich tapestry of Advent and the longing for the Messiah. The hymn is a product of the medieval Christian monastic community, and it is based on a series of antiphons called the “O Antiphons.”
“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.”
These antiphons were used during the seven days leading up to Christmas Eve in the medieval Christian liturgy. Each antiphon addressed the Messiah with a different Old Testament title, expressing the people’s collective yearning for the Savior’s arrival. The “O Antiphons” is believed to have been used since at least the 8th century.
“O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high, and cheer us by Thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel. Shall come to thee, O Israel.”
The hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” weaves together these ancient antiphons, creating a lyrical and melodic expression of the Advent season’s anticipation. The lyrics traditionally consist of seven verses, each corresponding to one of the “O Antiphons.” The hymn spans the period from December 17th to December 23rd.
“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.”
The text begins with the evocative lines: O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. The subsequent verses continue to invoke the Messiah using various Old Testament titles such as Wisdom, Adonai, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dayspring, and King of the Nations. Each verse captures a different facet of the prophetic expectation for the coming Messiah.
“O come, Adonai, Lord of might, who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height, In ancient times didst give the law. In cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel. Shall come to thee, O Israel.”
The hymn is not only a lyrical expression of the collective longing for the arrival of Christ but also a musical representation of the unfolding drama of redemption. Its haunting melody and minor key evoke a sense of yearning and anticipation, making it a poignant and timeless addition to Advent celebrations across centuries and cultures.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel. Shall come to thee, O Israel.”
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” has been translated into numerous languages, and its enduring popularity attests to its ability to resonate with people’s hearts, capturing the universal longing for the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Advent of Jesus Christ.
