As we wait for Christmas day to arrive, we join saints from the past twelve hundred years when we sing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Written in Latin, the carol originated in European monasteries in the 900s. It was sung in anticipation of Christmas Eve, just as we do today.

The song references an Old Testament prophecy of the birth of a Savior: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew explained in his gospel how the birth of Jesus satisfied that bold prediction: All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

The carol goes on the use several titles for Jesus, including the Rod of Jesse, the Key of David, and the Lord of Might, referencing God’s majesty when delivering the law to Moses on Mount Sinai. Steeped in Old Testament imagery, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel bridges the desire of ancient Israel with the reality of the new born King.

As the song says, Jesus frees us from Satan’s tyranny, puts death’s dark shadows to flight, and opens wide our heavenly home. Today we sing, we pray, and we rejoice that Emmanuel—God with us—has indeed come.

Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:22-23

Photo by David Beale