An Advent Song - O Come Emmanuel
This past Sunday Matt preached on Matthew 1:18-25, about the birth narrative of Jesus Christ. In that passage the angel specifically pointed out that his name will be Jesus “for he will save his people from their sins” v21. So there was divine weight behind that name choice for this child in particular. Ultimately from this name we can see the angel's message to Joseph was good news, in fact it was about the good news of the Gospel, that the son to be born was named Jesus, or Joshua in Hebrew, because it means He brings the salvation of the Lord.
That is why the second name mentioned here is so important, because Jesus was the salvation of God, by being Immanuel, God with us. His coming was the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 because He was God incarnate, condescending into the mess we created to be with us and like us in our suffering, yet without sin.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Is. 7:14.
“I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. 12 And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.” Lev. 26:11–12.
That is why songs focusing on the theme of Immanuel, God with us, are theologically appropriate and doctrinally heavier when we consider what is being proclaimed: That the God of the Universe comes down to us, rescues us, and reconciles us back to Himself, restoring our broken relationships with Him and each other. Look at the lyrics of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and check out a couple of modern versions of the song and enjoy worshiping Jesus the Messiah this advent season.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
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.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here’s another newer Emmaunel song to check out:
Rend Collective - Emmanuel You’re One of Us
It just doesn’t feel like Christmas at all
It’s so hard to forget about all that went on
Some friends lost their jobs and some family too
Some people said it was all down to you
I know
Emmanuel, you’re one of us
You left your throne to wear our scars
Though Christmas lights may lose their spark
And winter’s cold may break our hearts
Christmas means, Emmanuel you’re one of us
Maybe it is Christmas time after all
The carols are soaring, the fire’s roaring on
This year’s had its trials, but sweet mercies too
Glad tidings of joy and they’re all down to You
So sister and brother
Be kind to each other
We’ve all had a journey
Our own path to wander
The light will come
Just know you’re not alone