Below is an advent devotional (Day 17) I get every day from
Bible Gateway. On Tuesdays, they look at the story behind a traditional Christmas carol. I thought that this is a neat story! The devotional was taken from
Near to the Heart of God, by
Robert J. Morgan.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
In medieval Europe, there were cathedral services each evening leading up to Christmas Eve. Each service would begin with an antiphon, a choral call to worship. There were seven "Great O Antiphons," beginning with the Latin word vini ("come"), followed by the Latin words for "O Wisdom," "O Lord," "O Branch of Jesse," "O Key of David," "O Dayspring," "O King of Nations," and "O Emmanuel." These choral prayers were rooted in messianic titles used by the prophets in the Old Testament, pleas for God to come. During the 1800s, various English translations of the "Great O Antiphons" were made. This well-loved British version is the work of Thomas Alexander Lacey, who was born December 20, 1853.
O come, O come, Emmanuel!
Redeem thy captive Israel
That into exile drear is gone,
Far from the face of God's dear Son.
O come, thou Branch of Jesse! Draw
The quarry from the lion's claw;
From the dread caverns of the grave,
From nether hell, thy people save.
O come, O come, thou Dayspring bright!
Pour on our souls thy healing light;
Dispel the long night's ling'ring gloom,
And pierce the shadows of the tomb.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
"They shall call his name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." -- Matthew 1:23
