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.
For the remainder of the month, the Christmas season, we are going to focus on the great truths of the Christmas hymns and songs. More than sentimental tunes full of syrupy sweet empty spiritual calories, the great songs of the season which have stood the test of time are full of rich theological truths. These truths, properly understood, fill us with a deepened sense of what Christmas is all about. More than a “holiday”, this is the historical marker around which all of history finds its bearing. This event, the Christ-Child event, is the beacon shinning through ages of darkness and despair. In a world broken apart by sin, strife, pain, and purposelessness, the birth of Christ offers a way through, a way forward, a new start, a gleaming hope.
Emmanuel! Literally rendered “God with Us”, is the fundamental herald of the Christmas season. This heart-stirring song proclaims the greatest truth the world has ever known, God is with us!
As the prophets of old pointed to the person and work of the Messiah to come, Jesus, the hope then was the same as the hope revealed on that Holy Night, and the hope which now remains–God is with us on this journey. Moreover, He desires to be intimately involved with us along the roads we tread. Just as He was the long awaited hope for the exiled nation Israel, so He stands today, as the fulfillment of the thirst of a spiritually exiled modern people, longing for something, someone, who can fill the void and make sense of the comings and goings of our lives.
Where are you today? Is your life lacking anything? Are your relationships perfectly intact? Is your economic reality really secure? Have you been hit by unexpected difficulty? Is your heart yearning for more? Do you have all the twists and turns of your life figured out? If you are anything like me, there is much to be desired, uncertainty all around, and certain hopes and dreams still in exile. Maybe its family, career, internal issues, or something else, but all of us are in need of something.
For some its the years which were wasted. For others its the poor choices of the past which have impacted the present. Still others find its a deep sense of guilt and a feeling of unrelenting failure. Some have fallen upon the reality that all of the accomplishments and accolades gathered along the way just don’t fill that void which remains. There is a sense that something is missing, life was meant to be more.
The message for each of us is simply this, God, Emmanuel, is with us. He is there wherever we may be. He knows the attacks of the enemies upon us. He sees our dilemmas. He feels our dashed hopes and dreams. He is with us. There could not be any greater comfort than to know that the Creator of the universe sees, knows, and longs to extend His hand of help to us amidst our journey! His heart is for us. He is longing to reach the exiled heart. He is longing to be the ransom for the indebted soul. He longs to set the captives free. He desires to cause our hearts to, again, or perhaps for the first time, truly, Rejoice!
Will you celebrate this season in spirit and in truth? Will it be more than a “holiday” for you? Will the songs you hear and sing really capture your heart, emotions, and soul? Will you finally find that vacation of the soul you have always longed for? If that is to be your hope, you must place yourself beside that manger, accept Him, Jesus, as God Himself, and celebrate the coming of God to earth to set our hearts free and rejoicing. In so doing, the light of Christ, God in the flesh, will transform your entire being, and the season will be aglow in your heart, mind, and soul. You will sing those songs, really sing them, for the first time. May that be the reason you celebrate this year. May it be the way of experiencing Christmas as you never have before.
Rejoice, Rejoice!
Bruce Smith
optimuslife.org
soulstormsite.com