December 22, 2006
O Come , Emmanuel
O Christmas Tree! The Advent Tree Decorated with symbols of Christianity both old and new.
In my Ecumenical wanderings, I came across the writings of Kathleen Norris. Poet, Born again Christian and Benedictine Oblate, she introduced me through her writing to the richness of Litugical worship expression. I was an am continually surprised at how these sometimes ancient words permeate our hymns and prayers. Such is this Carol. Likely one of the oldest of all hymns that are in use today, O Come, Emmanuel,is a version of the "O" Antiphons. These hymns are sung, one each day for the seven vesper services prior to Christmas describe attributes of the Infant Jesus in His Kingly Diety, framed by the longing of Israel for the appearing of the Davidic Messiah
"O Emmanuel" or "God With Us" Declaring the mystery of God taking on human flesh
O Emmanuel, God who did not think it a lessening of His Godhood to take on human flesh within the Virgin's womb. Save us and be near to us, our Lord and our God Amen
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."O Sapientia" or "Wisdom" Discribing the eternal Wisdom of God...
O, Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of The Most High, and reached from end to end and disposed of all things sweetly and mightily: Come and teach us the way of righteousness Amen
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."O Adonai" or "Lord God Almighty" Describing Jesus as Lord over the Law
Lion of Judah, Mighty Son of Righteousness, Your comming completed the Law and redeemed us from the penalties of disobedience. O Adonai, and Leader of the House of Israel, You appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the law on Mt. Sinai, come deliver Your people through the power of your outstreached arm, Amen
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.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."O Radix Jesse" or Root of Jesse Decribing Jesus Right by Lineage to rule Israel as her Messianic King.
O Root of Jesse, Who stood as a sign for the people, before You, kings shall remain silent, and to you all the Nations of the Earth shall make supplication, Come and deliver us, and delay not! Amen.
O come, Thou Root of Jesse's tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."O Clavis David" or "Key of David" Describing His Eternal Soveregnty over sin and death
O Key of David and Scepter of the House of Israel: What you shut, no one can open and what You open no one can shut. Come, and lead forth from his prison the captive sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, into the light of Your Presence, Amen
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel." O Orens" or Dayspring Describing Our Lord's appearing as a brilliant Sunrise
Just as You waited to come to the world in the darkest of the days of the year, Your Light illuminates the darkest of the hearts of men. O Dayspring, Light Eternal and Sun of Justice, come to us and enlighten we who sit in darknes and in the Shadow of Death, Amen
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel."O Rex Gentium" or King of the Nations Describing Jesus as the Unifier of Creation whom all that are created will bow down and worship
O King of the Nations and their Desired, The Cheif Cornerstone and Maker of All Things, Come and save our race, whom You formed out of clay,and deliver us into Your Everlasting Kingdom, World without end, Amen.
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.We praise you Lord for Your willingness to come to this world and be born as a human being. Let us with reverence approch Bethlehem's manger with awe and wonder, Amen.
O come, Thou Lord of Nation's, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
