My favorite Christmas carol is not always chosen for church services. Written in a minor key, it is not as musically pleasant as Joy to the World or O Come All Ye Faithful. But even the minor keys reflect the musicality of the season and the truth behind their lyrics.
According to ClassicFM, this carol was originally written in Latin, perhaps dating back to 1710. Fortunately, it was translated into English in 1851 and included in the early hymnals by scholar-priest John Mason Neale. As a lover of all things classical, it’s no wonder that I like it so much.
No one knows exactly who composed the original version. Perhaps that anonymity adds to the mystery of its message. The lyrics include poetic sections about the darkness of mourning, about God’s children Israel living in captivity, about the tyranny of satan’s plan to keep people from believing in grace. A common theme of the enemy even today, I might add.
Yet even though some passages read like a haunting monologue, the message returns to hope. To the freedom God offers as we trust in him. To the importance of rejoicing, even when we don’t understand what is happening. Especially when we don’t understand.
That hope was predicted by the prophet Isaiah, “A virgin will conceive and bear a son and call his name, Immanuel (God with us).” (Isaiah 7:14).
And this is why I love the carol so much. Because I need to be reminded, every day, every second of every day, that God is with me. I need to remember that Jesus was not just a Jewish baby destined to live in the harshness of the first century. He was also not just the Savior/Messiah who would answer the long-ago prayers of the Israeli people.
But Jesus was also a man who struggled with blisters on his hands, with sore muscles, with back-breaking work as a craftsman. He suffered from the rejection of his siblings and the betrayals of his friends. He knew what it was like to wake up every morning and have to beg for God’s mercy to make it through the day. He buried his stepfather and held his mother as she wept.
And he lived under the dictatorial rule of power-thirsty religious leaders merged with the debauchery of the Roman empire. He gave us the example of how we must live today. By loving God and loving others. By defending the vulnerable. By steadfastly relying on real truth and not the lies so easily mouthed by deceptive autocrats.
And this Jesus, this Immanuel, promised to never forsake us. To be with us always. And to someday return when every knee will bow before him. Even the knees of the leaders of nations.
O Come, O Come Immanuel indeed. Let us see you soon, wrapped in the clouds and shining with the truth of eternal freedom.
Listen to this amazing carol here and rejoice with me.
Veni, veni, Emanuel!
©2024 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved
Image Attribution: Christmas-stars ….. geralt/Pixabay
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