As I’ve pondered Christmas songs recently, I knew the Christmas Eve song should be “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Christmas Eve is a time of great anticipation. Children carry hopes of great gifts and time with family. As believers, Christmas Eve is our “standing on the brink of a Promise,” knowing Jesus’ birth is the Advent of our only true hope.
This carol symbolizes that expectancy so poignantly! The invitation for Jesus to come to us is the theme of this beloved advent hymn. Each verse is another reminder of our hope in Christ, of the multitude of promises wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
The name, Emmanuel, translates from Hebrew as “God with us.” What a comforting promise in simply speaking the name “Emmanuel.” The two-line refrain: “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel” is a recurring reminder that we can rejoice even in our trials because Christ is in our midst.
Verse 1: O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Verse 1 begins the invitation of Christ to come. Though the lyrics specifically address Israel, Christ’s birth is a promise to all believers. To ransom means to pay to reclaim. Satan holds us captive until we accept Christ, and life without Him is meaningless. BUT GOD! Though we were once captives, Jesus’ presence in our lives changes everything! O come, o come Emmanuel.
Verse 2: 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.
Verse 2 boldly proclaims the victory promised in the first verse. Christ came to free us from Satan’s bondage. He came to save us from death, hell, and the grave! O come, o come Emmanuel.
Verse 3: 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.
Verse 3 offers a lift to our weary hearts. Christ’s presence in our lives encourages us and pushes death and darkness away. O come, o come Emmanuel.
Verse 4: 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.
Verse 4 invites the Way to lead us to heaven. When life seems like a series of locked doors, Jesus Christ is the only Key we need. O come, o come Emmanuel.
So today, as we wait in anticipation of Christmas Day and all the delights it promises, may we fix our minds on our true Promise…Jesus Christ, Himself. May we welcome the King who came to free us. May we embrace the freedom He offers. May we allow Him to lift our spirits and disperse the darkness. Finally, may we accept the only Key that unlocks the gates of heaven. O come, o come Emmanuel.