This Christmas

All week long I have been singing, and re-singing, and belting... and whispering and thinking about one particular Christmas carol. (to the utter annoyance of Rigg... "STOP SINGING, MOMMY!!!!")

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Probably because I really want Jesus to come back... like yesterday.

and because of this desperate desire the words of this hymn-like carol struck me anew this year.

O come o come Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appears

Rejoice rejoice

Emmanuel shall come to thee oh Israel

Oh 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

Rejoice rejoice

Emmanuel shall come to thee oh Israel

Oh 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

 

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 oh Israel

Such truth and hope for those of us longing and waiting for His return.

I love how the song is begging for Christ to come, to come and bring cheer to our mournful spirits, to disperse the clouds and defeat the pain and sadness of death once and for all, to bring peace.

 I love the hope... the encouragement to rejoice, even now, because Christ will come.

Emmanuel, God with us, shall come to thee.

It's a promise, folks.

Are you waiting?

Are you ready?

Merry Christmas.

May the HOPE of Heaven fill you with Joy and Peace this Christmas.