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“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the virgin is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14
In Latin, the text was “Veni, Veni Emmanuel” and it has been recorded and sung by dozens of artists since it’s origins in the mid 19th century. The lyrics of this Christmas Carol are hauntingly true over time as we cry out for our Savior to return. Even before the days of the early Christian church the people of Israel would cry out to the Lord these very words. The longing for Messiah was felt throughout Judea and the Jewish nations then and continues unto this very day.I listen to this carol and my heart goes out to those who are in search of Immanuel. Sent by God to save His people from their sins, as recorded in Matthew 1:21. I truly believe that most people realize that this world is temporary and there is a greater Kingdom beyond what we see. People are seeking something that is tangible, something that can be seen and touched and experienced. They grasp onto whatever is trendy and in line with their lifestyle and convictions at any given moment. What God sent in the man of Jesus Christ, was Immanuel. Yet God’s plan of redemption through the sacrifice of this lamb for the sins of all mankind does not align with the understanding, logic and expectations of most people. The desire is there to believe, but the understanding is not, most people struggle with the concept of God’s grace and love. The world’s view is confused and generally unaccepting of Immanuel, because it requires faith in something intangible.
Do we hear people in the street crying out for Immanuel these days? In certain cultures and parts of the globe the answer is an absolute yes. Are they calling out for the same reason and desperation that Israel had been calling out in 1st century B.C.? Yes, in some parts of the world they are desperate for God to save them from oppression, poverty, war and sickness. Many of the Jewish faith continue to call out to God for Immanuel to come and save them. Through their strife over centuries, the holocaust and the historical and continuing wars over their land, they have endured upon the hope that God will send Immanuel to save them. This prophetic verse is held close to the heart of many Jewish faithful as well as the Christian faithful. We both long for the Messiah to come and usher us into heaven’s peace, love and glory. As you hear this song through this advent season, lift up your prayers for the lost in the world, for your Jewish brethren and for God’s return.
Oh, come, oh, 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!
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!
Prayer:Loving Father,
in Your prophetic scriptures You have spoken to us about Immanuel. We acknowledge the presence of Jesus Christ as Your deliverance and salvation by Your grace through His death and resurrection. We thank You for providing a plan of redemption through the sacrifice of Your perfect spotless lamb. Help us to be a light to others that they might also see Jesus Christ as Immanuel, Your presence with us. In Your name we pray - Amen
in Your prophetic scriptures You have spoken to us about Immanuel. We acknowledge the presence of Jesus Christ as Your deliverance and salvation by Your grace through His death and resurrection. We thank You for providing a plan of redemption through the sacrifice of Your perfect spotless lamb. Help us to be a light to others that they might also see Jesus Christ as Immanuel, Your presence with us. In Your name we pray - Amen
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