1 December O come, O come, Emmanuel
(StF 180)
So we enter Advent, the season of waiting, longing and preparing for the coming of Jesus.
When we drive back from the south coast in the dark and cold of winter, we long for the journey to be over, just to be in the warmth and familiarity of home. If only we had Doctor Who’s Tardis!
O Come, O Come Emmanuel takes us back to the lament and desperate longing of God’s people, in mourning for their sin. It expresses Israel’s feelings of desolation in captivity and their hope in God, who saves. Their belief is in the coming of the Messiah. God is faithful. He keeps his promises. Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, was born, lived, died, and rose again.
Beyond this, the carol expresses something of our longing for Christ to come again. We see the suffering and brokenness in our world now, and we long for him to come and make all things new. We long for him to intervene, to rescue, save and deliver us. But often we have to wait, like the Israelites, for God’s plan to be revealed, in his time.
When we sing this advent carol, we sing it with longing, we sing it with thanksgiving to God, and we sing, rejoicing in God, who is with us, and who has given us eternal hope in Him.
Joy Rulton
Come, Lord Jesus!
Bring hope, bring joy, bring peace.
Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.