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"O come O come Emmanuel" Lyrics:
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 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.
Reflection:
“O come, O come, Emmanuel” is a very ancient hymn that was probably first sung in the twelfth century. The lyrics of the song are a plea for God to come and save us from our sins. “And ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here.” Due to our sins, all of us are held in a type of captivity because sin cripples us and binds us. It truly is like an exile because we are exiling ourselves from God. Sins stop us from loving God and we end up loving only ourselves. However, God has promised he will save us. So as Israel did for centuries, waiting for a savior, we too wait in joyful expectation that Christ will come again. Christmas is less than two weeks away, so rejoice! The savior is near and will set us free.
Isaiah 35:10 – “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning flee away.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 – “Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Deacon Scott Hill
Our Lady of Victory Parish
Our Lady of Victory Parish
