Christmas brings many joys and memories. Wide eyes and twinkle lights. Presents. Cookie aroma, cider scent and frankincense.
But the greatest of these is LOVE. (1 Corinthians 13)
We sing Oh come oh come Immanuel.
I truly love this song.
It allows us an opportunity to sing the Gospel.
The lyrics so familiar, deep and beautiful and true:
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 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 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
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, o Israel"
During Christmas, we celebrate Christ's birth-An Old Covenant Promise in New Testament reality. We also celebrate what hope we have in Christ now and in heaven.
Emmanuel did come to ransom captive Israel.
But Emmanuel also came for us today, in 2025, in modern day America.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night?
As spoiled sunny sun-tanned California residents, many of us do not understand gloomy clouds of night. We enjoy sunshine many days year round. However, there are many parts of the world with bitter cold winters. The clouds make the cold feel worse.
The coldness of a night is nothing compared to what this Christmas Carol is suggesting. An eternity awaits us in heaven or hell.
We all have a date with death and then we meet our Creator God.
Indeed! We are so blessed to sing this and rejoice that our Savior, Messiah Jesus, Immanuel God with us is here!
