O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Each Sunday of Advent, let’s enjoy the carols of Emmanuel.
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” originates from traditional Advent readings prior to 1100. At that time an unknown poet put them in poetic form. John Mason Neale translated this poem into English around 1860 and set it to music. I love that we join the voices of believers for nearly a millennium when we sing this carol. Read the words with fresh eyes today. I’d love to hear in the comments below what understanding you gain from this amazing song. Let’s share and celebrate what God’s doing in our hearts today.
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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 over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
And drive away the shades of night
And pierce the clouds and bring us light!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

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.
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O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.