"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)

Emmanuel . . . God with us! The history of this Christmas hymn is rich with meaning as you will see in the original translation. Each verse of this poetic masterpiece praises the coming of the Savior by a different name: Emmanuel, Branch of Jesse, Day-Spring, Key of David, Lord of Might, Wisdom, and Desire of Nations!

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

O EMMANUEL, God with us, Our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Saviour: COME to save us, O Lord our God. Amen.

Refrain

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Branch of Jesse's Tree

Free them from Satan's tyranny

That trust thy mighty power to save,

And give them Victory o'er the grave. Refrain

O ROOT OF JESSE, which stands for an ensign of the people, before whom the kings keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: COME, to deliver us, and tarry not. Amen.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here;

And drive away the shades of night

And pierce the clouds and bring us light! Refrain

O DAWN OF THE EAST, brightness of light eternal, and Sun of Justice: COME, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen.

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. Refrain

O KEY OF DAVID, and Scepter of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: COME, and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of Might,

Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height

In ancient times once gave the law

In cloud, and majesty, and awe. Refrain

O LORD AND RULER of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: COME, and redeem us with outstretched arms. Amen.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

And order all things, far and nigh;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And teach us in her ways to go. Refrain

O WISDOM, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: COME, and teach us the way of prudence. Amen.

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. Refrain

O KING OF THE NATIONS and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: COME, and deliver man, whom you formed out of the dust of the earth. Amen.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

We can't begin to celebrate His birth unless we celebrate Who He is. Yes, He was a babe in a manger, but He's more than that . . . He's Emmanuel, God with us.

Yes, He was a precious child born in a stable and laid in a manger, but He's the "promised" one to rule from the Root of Jesse.

Yes, He was a newborn child, but He's the Light eternally dispelling the darkness.

Yes, He was born in Bethlehem, but He's the Ruler over all.

Yes, He's born from David's lineage, but He is the One promised to sit enthroned on the praises of Israel.

Yes, He was an innocent and helpless baby, but He's the Lord of Might.

Yes, He was born and robed in flesh, but He is Wisdom from on high, a lamp to our feet and a light on our path.

And, yes, He was a precious child, but He's the Desire of the Nations, bringing together in Him all people and making them one.

Rejoice! God with us, Emmanuel, has come to deliver mankind whom He formed from the dust of the earth!

Has He delivered you? Have you been set free? Has that tiny babe in the manger become your Emmanuel? If not, today is your day of salvation. Make Him your Emmanuel and let His Name that is above all names be exalted in your life from this day forward.

Father, I am amazed so often when I consider how a simple babe lying in a manger can affect the history of mankind so profoundly! I confess that Jesus, my Emmanuel, is my ONLY way of salvation. Emmanuel—God is with me because of the finished work of Calvary. I stand in awe of You, my precious Lord, amen and amen!

© Jan Ross

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