Considering Carols At Advent – No.6

SING FOR JOY AND BE GLAD, O DAUGHTER OF ZION; FOR BEHOLD I AM COMING AND I WILL DWELL IN YOUR MIDST,” DECLARES THE LORD.

Zechariah 2:10 (NASB)

Today’s carol for consideration is completely different from traditional carols which are usually worshipful and celebratory; “O COME, O COME EMMANUEL” is more prayerful seeking for the long-promised Messiah. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” was originally written in Latin as “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel“. The English translation of the Christmas carol came about in 1851, written by priest and scholar John Mason Neale. He also wrote/translated the words to “Good King Wenceslas.” Considering that he was a priest, the carol has its origins in the Catholic church, which does not detract from its value.

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.

The lyrics of this mournful carol are full of the longing of Israel for the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, the coming of the promised Messiah. As you read more of the stanzas we see the message of Redemption from sin for all mankind. The second stanza speaks more of the defeat of Satan and the chains of sin, which ensnare the lost to a lost eternity.

Dear Reader, many of our carols are indeed worshipful and celebratory in tone where this one is more prayerful – let us meditate upon the fulfilled Biblical promises that it reminds us of. Then let us rejoice in our King who saves us!

O come, Thou Key of David, come

And open wide our heav’nly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.