“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Perhaps many Christians are yearning for the second fulfillment of these words in the year of 2021. It is an old song with roots that go back centuries. It has quite a history. Yet, the words echo many of the thoughts of believers worldwide in our day. Part of the song has a somber tone which denotes a request of God throughout the ages:
“Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight.”
But then there are these words:
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, Shall come to thee, O Israel.”
It is the promise hinted at back after man had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God in the book of Genesis (3:15). He was to come the first time to ransom mankind from its fallen nature. It is what we think of this time of year. He will come a second time to right all wrongs and usher in eternity.
The Text of the Hymn
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 come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav’nly 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 come, Adonai, Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Perhaps no other group can take this old Latin text and create a Southern U.S. version of this song as well as The Petersons.
And here is the more traditional version:
May God cause your heart to be thankful for the fulfilled promise spoken of in this song and to long for the second coming of our Emmanuel.
Chris Reimers
Wings of the Wind 
Lovely, my brother! Thank you, Chris! May the Lord fill you with joy and peace at this time when we remember His First Advent and long for His Return!
You are so welcome, Maria. It is so nice to hear from you. I hope you are well and have the same prayer for you that God’s peace and joy will be yours this Christmas.
I look forward to the day, if it comes, that you return to blogging.
I enjoyed seeing your “like.”
God’s blessings always my dear sister in Christ!
Thanks, Chris! I enjoyed the performance.
You’re welcome, Tom. Nice to know that someone watched that video. The Petersons are pretty popular in Branson, MO I hear. There is something about family members harmonizing that sets it apart. My understanding is that there is a good Christian influence within the family.
Love the two songs! They were time of worship listening to them as I study!
Awesome, Pastor Jim. I appreciate you stopping by particularly as I know you are a very busy person.
My God bless your ministry greatly and show you some of the fruits of your labor!