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Background of the Song

The best-known Advent song invites the one who has come before and is with us now to come again. It is mysterious, wistful, yet magical. Written in Latin, the song is over a thousand years old and connects Jewish hopes for the Messiah with Christian hope for Jesus’ return.

Suggestions:

What: Read one verse for each day as a final count-down to Christmas.

How: Pause alone, or with friends, neighbours, family, or workmates, possibly light a candle, read the stanza for the day, pause for 30 seconds of silent thought, read the idea accompanying the stanza, and pause again for a short while before you continue in your day (or pause later when you recall the words). You could conjour up images to accompany the words. The image(s) could be shared with someone else.

When: Before leaving the house in the morning; upon arrival home; at lunchtime; before brushing your teeth (or some other daily routine); before bed…

6. Wednesday/Mercredi December 19th

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

Idea: Isaiah 7:14: a virgin shall conceive… and captives freed. We’re cultural exiles anticipating the reuniting of all things; new heaven and earth.

5. Jeudi/Thursday December 20th

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,

Who orders all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

and teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

Idea: Isaiah 11:2: The spirit of the Lord – wisdom — will rest upon him. She speaks in the Hebrew Scriptures and in the New Testament Jesus is our wisdom (1Cor1:30). How to do the right thing in a compromised world.

4. Friday/Vendredi December 21st

Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,

Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height

In ancient times gave holy law,

In cloud and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

Idea: Isaiah 9:6 Lord of might is adonai but the reference here is back to Sinai and the law given through Moses. We long for things to be put right. Jesus fulfills the law and brings grace and truth as well.

3. Samedi/Saturday December 22nd

Oh, come O Rod of Jesse’s stem,

From ev’ry foe deliver them

That trust your mighty pow’r to save;

Bring them in vict’ry through the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

Idea: Isaiah 11:1-3: Some one greater than King David was promised, who would free from all enemies. Jesus would win victories over evil and even death, but through a reversal of military means; powerlessness.

2. Sunday/Dimanche December 23rd

Oh, come, O 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 you, O Israel!

Idea: Mysterious reference to Isaiah 22:22 and keys to David’s house. Is this what Peter gets in Matthew 16:19 or John sees in Revelation 3:7? Those who might have felt shut out because they don’t have the right pedigree or credentials are welcome.

1. Lundi/Monday December 24th

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,

And cheer us by your drawing nigh,

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

Idea: Messianic promise now appears in obscure prophet Haggai (2:7) as in Mal 3:1–the esteemed one whom we long for. This is the “Prince of Wholeness,” Is 9:6 and 11:6-9: a bringing together of that which is broken apart. Rich and poor in Kingston AND shalom for the whole created order.

O Come, O Come Emmaaanuel!