I love the way that Pastor and author Robert J. Morgan describes hymns:
“Hymns help us praise God. They’re shafts of brilliant sunlight through the clouds. They provide an almost mystical connection with the endless anthems of praise raising at this very moment before the heavenly throne. They unite the Lord’s earth-bound church in heavenly harmony.” (“Then Sings My Soul,” p. xi)
“… shafts of brilliant sunlight through the clouds … an almost mystical connection ….” Today marks the first Sunday … the first day … of Advent … the season in the church year where we prepare ourselves … our hearts … our homes … our lives … for the coming of the Messiah. I think it’s important for us to stop for a moment on this day and remember just what this season is all about.
While the Christmas countdown clock has already started ticking away for many of us, we actually have four whole weeks laid out ahead of us … plenty of time for us to stop and ponder the wonder … indeed, the miracle … of Jesus’ arrival. While Christmas seems to be coming too fast for us, let’s not forget that for the people of Israel … the people who waited for generations upon generations for the coming of the Messiah … that blessed day could not come soon enough.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we ponder the promises. We strain to see the dawn of salvation. We know that when it comes, the waiting will be over. When Emmanuel arrives … when the Dayspring rises … we learn that redemption has only begun. To be sure, as one author put it, “it is a magnificent only.” The final blood has been shed. The debt is paid. Forgiveness is purchased. God’s wrath is removed. Adoption is secured. The down payment is in the bank. The first fruits of the harvest are in the barn. Our future is sure. Our joy is great … but the end is not yet.
Death still stalks the earth. Disease still makes us suffer. Calamity still strikes. Satan is still on the prowl. Flesh still wars against the spirit. Sin still dwells in our hearts. And, as the Apostle Paul puts it, we still “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23). We still “wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1st Corinthians 1:7). We still “wait for the hope of righteousness” (Galatians 5:5). The longing continues.
And so, this morning, I thought we might … for a moment … think about the meaning of Advent … that time of waiting … of preparation ... that the Israelites experienced … in the hopes that we too might catch a glimpse of the glory that is truly the reason for the season. It seems to me that the perfect way for us to do just that is to hear and think about one of the oldest and most beloved hymns of the season: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” dates all the way back to the ninth century … where it was sung in Latin and used in formal Catholic masses. Because it was written sometime during the 800’s, we don’t know who the actual author or authors of the hymn may be but their many references and depth of knowledge concerning the Old and New Testaments suggests that it was written by a monk or priest … or a number of monks and priests over the centuries.
When first written, the Latin text of the hymn … “Veni, Emmanuel” … contained seven different verses or stanzas … each one representing a different view (or name) of the Messiah. It was known as the “O Antiphonals” because each verse began with the word “O.” It was sung or chanted … a capella … one verse per day during the last seven days before Christmas.
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” was more than just a hymn. It served as a sort of ‘catechism’ or teaching tool for the early church. Few people in the Dark Ages had a Bible or access to a Bible … and even if they did, most of them couldn’t read. This hymn was one of the few examples they had of the full story of how the New Testament and Old Testament views of the Messiah came together in the birth and life of Jesus. It brought the story of Christ the Savior to life during the hundreds of years when little else was available to the common people … and for this reason, could really be considered one of the most important songs in the history of the Christian faith.
The hymn gained world-wide acceptance when it was discovered by John Mason Neale … an Anglican priest who, because of his evangelical and progressive beliefs … was banished to a little island off the northwest coast of Africa called “Madeira.” Not having much to do at this remote outpost, Neale studied and read scripture and scripture-based literature voraciously. When he came across the Latin Chant “Veni, Emmanuel,” he recognized how important the hymn was … and so, translated it into English for more accessible use. That was the beginning of the world-wide spread of this hymn that has now been translated into scores of languages and is sung by Christians around the world.
While the origin of this hymn and its development over time is interesting, it is not the reason for the hymn’s profundity That rests on the subject matter of the hymn … which is based on a prophesy in Isaiah 7 … a prophesy that looks forward to the birth of a child who will be named “Immanuel” … which means “God with Us” in Hebrew.
In the Garden of Eden, God had been present with mankind … but as a result of the fall, mankind was exiled from God’s presence. From that point forward, the restoration of God’s presence with man became a major theme that is developed throughout the Scripture.
God chose Israel as the people through whom He would re-establish His presence with man … and this began in earnest with the construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness … and later the Temple in Jerusalem.
At the time of the Babylonian exile, the Prophet Ezekiel saw God’s Presence depart from the Temple as a result of the people’s sin (Ezekiel 10:18). But through him, God reassured His people that a time would come when He would restore His Presence with His people in a way that would transcend the Temple built with human hands.
And the, in the fullness of time, Jesus is born. And Matthew tells us that Jesus’ birth took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken to His people through the Prophet Isaiah (Matthew 1:23). “Therefore the Lord Himself will give a sign. ‘Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son … and shall call him Immanuel’” (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus. Immanuel. God with Us.
Please open your hymnals to page 211 or look to the screens around the sanctuary and read stanza 1 out loud with me … just the stanza, not the refrain.
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appears.”
The first stanza emphasizes the “person” of the Messiah. It refers to Isaiah 7:14 and begins by appropriately striking the chord of the Messiah’s deity: “Emmanuel” … “God with Us.”
God became flesh and dwelt among us. It is the very cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is the truth that sets us apart from every other religion in the world. We understand and emphatically declare that Jesus Christ … the babe in the manger … is the God of the Universe in human form. The Bible teaches this clearly. At the beginning of the Book of Hebrews, the author proclaims that the “Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being” (Hebrews 1:3).
Indeed, our Christmas carol begins where any treatise on the central figure of Christmas must begin … by declaring that Jesus Christ is nothing less than our Redeemer God in the flesh. Jesus Christ is worthy of the name “Emmanuel” and is worthy to be celebrated in song … amen?
Let’s read stanza 2 together. Remember … just the stanza, not the refrain.
“O Come, thou Wisdom from on high
and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show
and cause us in her ways to go.”
Isaiah 9:6, as we heard read at the beginning of the sermon, foretells or describes the various titles or “offices” that the Messiah will hold. Among them … “Wonderful Counselor.”
Throughout the Scriptures, wisdom is closely linked to God. Genuine wisdom finds its roots in God and in His Word. In fact, wisdom is personified in the Old Testament, where it is described as a constant companion of God. You see this beautifully illustrated in Proverbs 8:22-31. Paul declared in 1st Corinthians 1:24: “… but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” For example:
Wisdom was in the beginning (Proverbs 8:22-23)
Jesus was in the beginning (John 1:1)
Wisdom was with God (Proverbs 8:30)
Jesus was with God (John 1:1)
Wisdom was co-creator (Proverbs 3:19, 8:25; Isaiah 7:21)
Jesus was co-creator (John 1:1-3)
Wisdom provides light (Proverbs 9:22)
Jesus provides light (John 1:4, 9)
Wisdom is the bread or substance of life (Proverbs 9:5)
Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35)
Wisdom is the door and the good shepherd (Proverbs 8:34-35)
Jesus is the door of the sheep and the Good Shepherd (John 10:7,11,14)
Wisdom brings life (Proverbs 3:16, 8:35, 9:11)
Jesus is Life (John 11:25)
Wisdom is the way (Proverbs 3:17, 8:32-34)
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Light (John 14:6)
For us, life and faith are filled with shadows and questions, but Jesus has no such limitations. He is omniscient. Therefore, it behooves us to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus Christ is fully the “Wisdom of God” and is worthy to be celebrated in song, amen?
Let’s read stanza 3 together:
“O Come, O come, Great Lord of Might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height,
in ancient times once gave the Law
in cloud and majesty and awe.”
Isaiah 9:6 was a very prominent prophecy about the Messiah. It was many descriptive and predictive phrases about Him. If I may read it yet again:
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. His enemies have been made His footstool (Hebr4ews 1:8). He has conquered the hostile enemy that has held a grip on the human soul for millennia. He has set us free from the grasp of sin and death! (Romans 8:2). Jesus can break the chains that bind you! He deserves to be called “Mighty God” and is worthy to be celebrated in song … amen?
Let’s read stanza 4 together:
“O come, thou root of Jesses’ tree,
an ensign of thy people be;
Before thee rulers silent fall;
all peoples on thy mercy call.”
The “Root of Jesse’s Tree” refers to Isaiah 11:1. Isaiah predicted that there would come a time when things would look hopeless for Israel. The axe will have been applied to the tree called “Israel” and only a stump would remain. World powers and world religions would appear to have consumed this small nation and its hope of a ruler and redeemer would be nearly forgotten. But beneath the stump … under the earth … there would be living roots. And when all would seem lost, a single green shoot would emerge from the stump. It would appear insignificant to any on-looker but over time it would grow and become strong, mature, and become a force to be reckoned with.
Such is the great story of the Messiah. Who would have thought this innocent babe held such promise? Very few. But promise this child held. Promise He fulfilled. The root of Jesse’s tree is an encouragement to hope. What God has promised, God will do … amen? It may, in fact, look bleak and hopeless but you dare not give up hope for He who said it will be faithful. Jesus Christ deserved to be called “the Root of Jesse’s Tree” and is worthy to be celebrated in song … amen?
I’m betting that you’re getting the hang of this by now. Let’s read stanza 5 together:
“O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home.
The captives from their prison free,
and conquer death’s deep misery.”
This stanza refers to another of Isaiah’s prophecies, Isaiah 22:22 which says: “I will place on His shoulder the key of the House of David; He shall open, and no on shut, he shall shut, and no one shall open.” What a powerful metaphor. The one who holds the keys has control over the whole house. You can only go where the holder of the keys lets you go. They have the power to let you in some of the rooms or all of the rooms or keep you from going in some of the rooms or all of the rooms. Giving the Messiah the keys to the House of David connotes the Messiah’s capacity and right to supervise the heavenly realm of God’s Kingdom. Jesus Christ, the infant Prince of Isaiah 9:6 holds the keys to God’s Kingdom. Hebrews 1:8-9 speak of this prophecy’s fulfillment:
“But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. And the righteous scepter is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore, God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond Your companions.”
Jesus’ rule is just. His rule is gracious. And we are the recipient of His righteous reign. Jesus Christ is qualified to rule God’s Kingdom and is worthy to be celebrated in song … amen?
Read stanza 6 with me:
“O come, thou Dayspring , come and cheer
our spirits by thy justice here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight.”
In Luke 1:78, Zacharias, the priest, declared: “The dayspring from on high has visited.” A more literal translation would be: “God has visited us as a sun rises from Heaven.” Echoes of Isaiah 9:2, which said: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined.”
Light and dark are common Biblical metaphors for good and evil … for God’s salvation. Zacharias is rejoicing because God has broken through our blinding darkness like the radiance of the morning sun after a long, dark night.
Light changes everything. The world looks different and is easier to navigate when there is light. Jesus did the same thing for us spiritually. His arrival illuminates this dark world’s way to God. He even said so: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus Christ is indeed the “Light of the World” and is worthy to be celebrated in song … amen?
And stanza 7 … you know what to do:
“O come, Desire of nations bind
all peoples in one heart and mind.
From dust thou brought us forth to life;
Deliver us from earthly strife.”
We speak of “peace on earth and good will toward men.” All nations claim it as their desire and we seem to be on an endless search for it. We even search for this peace through war! But peace will never be found through human mechanisms or human power. If that were possible, we would have done it by now, amen? It can only be accomplished in God’s time and through God’s Son.
Isaiah longed for world peace too. And he knew when and where it would be fulfilled … in the Messiah. In the reign of God. Jesus Christ is indeed the “Prince of Peace” and is worthy to be celebrated in song … amen?
It is a wonderful thing that there are Christmas carols for the real world of sorrowful joy, as well as for the real world of exuberant joy. You find both ... sorrowful joy and exuberant joy … in this hymn. You hear the sorrowful joy in the “O” that begins each verse. This is the “O” of longing. “O come, Emmanuel” … “O come, Wisdom from on High” … “O come, great Lord of Might” … “O come, Root of Jesse” … O come, Key of David” … “O come, thou Dayspring” … “O come, Desire of Nations.”
The rhythm of plaintive longing in the verses is punctuated at the end with powerful bursts of exuberant joy:
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!”
Longing: “O come, Emmanuel” … Exuberance: “Rejoice, O Israel!”
This rhythmically captures the mystery and the wonder of the Christian life. Sorrowful … yet always rejoicing. Already … but not yet. Fulfillment of glorious promise … yes. But the consummation of the new earth with new bodies and no sin … not yet. We are left confident … but still crying out: “O come, O come, Emmanuel.”
Before we lay the baby in the manger … before we even look to the brightest star in the sky … let’s spend some time with our Hebrew ancestors waiting and preparing and holding on to the hope that God will indeed make true the promises that are written on our hearts and treasured in our beings. Let’s spend some time with our families thinking about what we are really anticipating. Let’s spend tie with our faith community preparing ourselves for the miracle that is fast approaching. Let’s find time in reflection to marvel at how this promise of God is about to be fulfilled in the birth of a tiny child.
Emmanuel …
Completely God …
Our source of Wisdom …
Our trustworthy hope …
The light of our salvation …
The ruler of God’s eternal Kingdom …
The conqueror of evil …
Our Prince of Peace …
Jesus can meet the deep need of our souls and our world. As we prepare for Communion today, we can do so with hearts filled with sorrowful joy as we look forward to the coming of our Lord and Savior. O come, o come, Emmanuel … O come, O come, Lord Jesus.
