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O Come O Come Emmanuel
The Advent hymn, “O Come O Come Emmanuel” is one that is certainly familiar to our ears.
Also known as the “O Antiphons,” the words of this significant hymn possess strong connections to the Messianic prophecies.
How so?
Emmanuel:
”Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
Rod of Jesse:
”A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.” Isaiah 11:1
Key of David:
“I will lay the key of David’s house on his shoulder. He will open, and no one will shut.
He will shut and no one will open.” Isaiah 22:22
Dayspring from on high:
Another word for “dawn,” the priest Zechariah declares, “because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the dawn from on high will visit us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)
Overall, the meaning of the name Emmanuel is “God with us.”
All these titles carry very natural, earthly images, yet are also infused with the Divine.
Emmanuel is the kind of Person who redeems and sanctifies what is ordinary.
He is the “Word made flesh” who comes to dwell with, to “pitch His tent” among us.
Emmanuel is God...with us.
Hazel Jordan