O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Christmas music is a blessing to me this time of year. If I need to feel the Christmas spirit I play my Christmas CD's as loud as John can stand and instantly I feel like wrapping gifts, or baking cookies, or completing whatever task is at hand. Music speaks to me. My car radio is always tuned to the local Christian station (107.1) where they play a mix of Christmas with other contemporary Christian music. During this season they play all Christmas music on the weekends. I still have 101.9 saved for when I drive north of Des Moines. I'm sure you can find a Christian station in your area, too.

As we draw closer to the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the anticipation grows. One traditional hymn of Christmas is "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," a Latin hymn translated by John M. Neale in 1851, with music by Thomas Helmore, 1854. It is a beautiful Christmas carol that has been sung for more than 167 years. I encourage you to read the words below and truly see the hope that the hymn speaks of - the arrival of the Son of God and heavenly peace.

"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 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. 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! 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. O come, Desire of nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease; Fill all the world with heaven's peace. Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel! Amen."

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel," (Isaiah 7:14 NIV).

May this Christmas carol ring repeatedly throughout our day, reminding us of the reason we celebrate Christmas Day.

God came as a baby to save us from our sins, to bring light into the world, to lead us to heaven, and to bring peace,

O Come, Baby Jesus, Come.