O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

This Advent I want to write through songs.  The Christmas season is here and that means songs surround us.  So many of the songs are mindless and can stay that way for all I care.  I don't need you pondering the deep meaning of "Frosty the Snowman".  But for many stations around the world this is the time of the year when explicitly Gospel focused lyrics are on the air.  So, I want to look at a few of these songs and I hope this enriches your December.

I grew up Baptist and I continue to be a Baptist and I'm glad of that.  My denomination is one that has helped me grow in my faith and has reached millions with the Gospel.  My wife grew up Lutheran and her parents are Lutheran.  This Sunday we went to First Lutheran in Onalaska, Wisconsin as they celebrated the first weekend of Advent.  Baptist friends, we have much to learn from our Lutheran brothers and sisters about Advent.  In the Baptist tradition we may light wreaths and do Advent readings but we rush to Christmas songs, however in the Lutheran tradition they linger in true Advent before singing of Christmas itself.

During the Advent worship Sunday there was a rich time of confession.  There was a purposeful longing for the consummation of all things.  Pastor Jason Stanton preached about expectant, mindful, watchful waiting as seen in Matthew 24:36-51.  The whole of the service was centered around the passage and the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emanuel".

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come... So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him." Matthew 24:42 & 44

Be awake!  Keep watch!

For what?  Didn't Jesus already come?

Advent is a season where we look not only to the past and the first coming of Christ but we look forward with longing to the second coming of Christ.  As Pastor Jason said, The End has begun but it is a here but not yet reality.  The End has begun and the Gospel is here but we wait with eyes wide open for its consummation.

This world is broken:  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!  Pain and sorrow persist:  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!  Death is less true than life but is still at our door: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!  Babies still suffer and families flounder:  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!  Hope is still mostly unseen:  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

Don't skip Advent this year.  Christmas is full of joy but we must also realize that it is a joy that is yet to be as full as it will be.  So we Advent.

The last words of the Bible:

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.'
Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people.  Amen."
Revelation 22:20-21

Read the lyrics to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel below and let them sink into your mind and soul as you listen to the song anew today.

VERSE 1O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear

VERSE 2O come, Thou, Dayspring from on high
And cause Thy light on us to rise
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadow put to flight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

VERSE 3O come, O come, true prophet of the Lord
And turn the key to heaven’s door
Be Thou our comforter and guide
And lead us to the Father’s side
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall by His word our darkness dispel

VERSE 4O come, our great High Priest, and intercede
Thy sacrifice, our only plea
The judgment we no longer fear
Thy precious blood has brought us near
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Has banished every fear of hell

VERSE 5O Come, Thou King of nations bring
An end to all our suffering
Bid every pain and sorrow cease
And reign now as our Prince of Peace
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come again with us to dwell