November 27: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
First Week of Advent: Hope
November 27: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel/Veni veni Emmanuel (Latin) - Links & Lyrics Below
The word “Emmanuel” comes from the Greek rendering of two Hebrew words, “immanu” [with us] and “el” [God]. In English it is spelled either Emmanuel or Immanuel.
The carol is of Latin origin and was named Veni Emmanuel [God come with us]. The carol’s origin was from the Medieval Roman church of the twelfth century and possibly even earlier.
It is a series of short statements [Antiphons]. Each of the Antiphons greets the Savior with one of the many titles ascribed to Him in the Bible: Emmanuel, Lord of Might, Rod of Jesse, Day Spring, Key of David.
In the nineteenth century John M. Neale, who was born in London, England translated the carol into English. This made available the rich heritage of this carol and other Greek and Latin hymns to the church and to those who sing them.
The season of Advent which begins four Sundays before Christmas emphasizes the anticipation of the first coming of the Savior to this earth. The coming of Jesus as Messiah was first prophesied in the sixth century B.C., when the Jews were held as captives in Babylon. Jesus ransomed the captive Jews and all of us when He was born, shared God’s message with all, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven.
The carol reminds us that God is with us always; that Christ the Messiah did come two thousand years ago; that God has through Jesus accomplished the perfect redemption and salvation of each of us. We can wait with the same urgent expectancy as did the Israelites of old; we can wait for Christ’s second Advent, when the victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil will be final.
Let us pray: Emmanuel, give this season of Advent and Christmas a fresh meaning and enthusiasm for each of us, our family and our church community. Help us to share that fresh meaning with all those around us. Amen.
The carol is of Latin origin and was named Veni Emmanuel [God come with us]. The carol’s origin was from the Medieval Roman church of the twelfth century and possibly even earlier.
It is a series of short statements [Antiphons]. Each of the Antiphons greets the Savior with one of the many titles ascribed to Him in the Bible: Emmanuel, Lord of Might, Rod of Jesse, Day Spring, Key of David.
In the nineteenth century John M. Neale, who was born in London, England translated the carol into English. This made available the rich heritage of this carol and other Greek and Latin hymns to the church and to those who sing them.
The season of Advent which begins four Sundays before Christmas emphasizes the anticipation of the first coming of the Savior to this earth. The coming of Jesus as Messiah was first prophesied in the sixth century B.C., when the Jews were held as captives in Babylon. Jesus ransomed the captive Jews and all of us when He was born, shared God’s message with all, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven.
The carol reminds us that God is with us always; that Christ the Messiah did come two thousand years ago; that God has through Jesus accomplished the perfect redemption and salvation of each of us. We can wait with the same urgent expectancy as did the Israelites of old; we can wait for Christ’s second Advent, when the victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil will be final.
Let us pray: Emmanuel, give this season of Advent and Christmas a fresh meaning and enthusiasm for each of us, our family and our church community. Help us to share that fresh meaning with all those around us. Amen.
Gary Stangland
Retired ELCA Pastor
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
R: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to thee O Israel!
VENI veni, Emmanuel
captivum solve Israel,
qui gemit in exsilio,
privatus Dei Filio.
captivum solve Israel,
qui gemit in exsilio,
privatus Dei Filio.
R: Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel, nascetur pro te Israel!
2. Veni o Jesse virgula!
Ex hostis tuos ungula,
De specu tuos tartari
Educ, et antro barathri. [3rd antiphon]
3. Veni, veni o Oriens!
Solare nos adveniens,
Noctis depelle nebulas,
Dirasque noctis tenebras. [5th antiphon]
4. Veni clavis Davidica!
Regna reclude coelica,
Fac iter Tutum superum,
Et claude vias Inferum. [4th antiphon]
5. Veni, veni Adonai!
Qui populo in Sinai
Legem dedisti vertice,
In maiestate gloriae. [2nd antiphon]
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