Getting ready to get ready…
The O Antiphons are a set of medieval refrains originally used before and after the singing of the Magnificat (Mary’s song). Each invokes the Messiah under a different title derived from the Old Testament. This title is then amplified and followed by an appeal to “come” and save us in a particular way. Around the 12th century the antiphons were collected into a Latin verse hymn, which was later translated by John Mason Neale into the hymn we know as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” As you prepare your heart for the first Sunday in Advent, I invite you to ponder these verses:
O come, thou Wisdom from oh high, embracing all things far and nigh;
in strength and beauty come and stay;
teach us your will and guide our way.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
How have you seen God’s wisdom at work in your life?
O Come, O come O Lord of might, As to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times you gave the law
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
How is God’s power evident in your life?
O Come, O Branch of Jesse, free your own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell your people save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
Has death threatened you, or someone you love?
O Come, O Key of David, come, and open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
When has heaven come near to you? How did you know?
O Come, O Dayspring, come and cheer our presence by thine advent here.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadow put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
Where do you find joy?
O Come, O King of Nations, come, O Cornerstone that binds in one:
Refresh the hearts that long for you;
Restore the broken, make us new.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
How has the diverse beauty of God’s Kingdom become evident to you?
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
As Advent approaches, how will you worship the Son of God?
A pastor sings 