One blogger challenged me to find a word for a theme for the new year, so I’ve chosen Emmanuel/Immanuel-God with us for 2020. O Come, O Come Emmanuel is the Carol that’s been illuminated for me this season. I never knew it had 7 verses, but according to Music Choice, Christmas Carols were written to share the Gospel with those who could not read [so were hymns] and this one has a lot of Bible truth in it.

 

[Verse 1]
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear

[Refrain]
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

This occurred when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

[Verse 2]
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud, and majesty and awe

This was when the Lord led them through the wilderness and gave the Law to Moses.

[Verse 3]
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

Jesus fulfilled this when He rose from the dead.

[Verse 4]
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight

Jesus, the light of the world, accomplished this as well when He came into the world and His star shone.

[Verse 5]
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

Psalm 139 fulfilled when Jesus reconciled us to Father God.

[Verse 6]
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high
And order all things, far and nigh
To us the path of knowledge show
And cause us in her ways to go

This is fulfilled when we learn to walk in the Spirit, letting go of animosity and living in the love of the Father.

[Verse 7]
O come, desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease
And be Thyself our King of peace

[Refrain]
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

This is exactly why Jesus came! He made a way for us to renew our relationship with Father God, restoring what was broken by Adam and Eve’s fall. We can only come into unity when we become part of the true Church in Christ Jesus…Emmanuel!

What a wonderful time to be on earth during the culmination of the work, prayers and martyrdom of so many who went before us, as we experience this time of exponential growth of the Church. Many being added to Christ’s Body, including Isaac’s seed – the Israelites – coming to Him as well as Ishmael’s seed, the Muslims. May all nations see the light and multitudes come into the Kingdom!

Let’s do our part, growing in wisdom and deepening our relationship with the Lord and the people He surrounds us with. Keep walking in the Spirit and doing great exploits for the Kingdom!