O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Back in 2019, I first wandered into Community of Faith to attend a worship service the Sunday before Christmas. I was grieving the loss of someone close to me and all I wanted to find was a quiet place to seek comfort and offer a silent prayer.
I found Community of Faith online and made plans to attend. Just one quick visit, I said to myself that morning. Needless to say, one quick visit became another and then another. Six years later, I am still here! And grateful for what made me come back: the lady next to me who shared how she had once come herself ten years ago because of the death of a loved one, the pastor and his thoughtful sermon, the sweet invitation to return, and, in particular, the beautiful music played. It was especially meaningful to me that one of the hymns chosen was O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, one of my favorite songs.
It is a favorite partly because of the low register (where I don’t have to try and hit high notes!) and even more so because of its warm and mystical tones. I grew up in a Catholic home and attended Catholic school so I can’t help but imagine a line of monks chanting in a chapel whenever I hear it played. I can almost feel the texture of their stiff robes, smell incense burning, hear their sonorous voices reverberating through an ancient sanctuary carved in stone. To me, this song is one of majesty, of patience, of awe, and reverence while we wait for the coming of the Lord. I can feel the chill in the air as I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a waiting congregation. O Come, O Come. God is With Us. I can feel Him in this place.
Although this imagery may not quite have matched the reality of my Community of Faith experience, it was still significant to me that my favorite carol had been chosen. My heart was ready to find a new spiritual home -- although I had not quite realized it yet. Not until I wandered into church that day did I discover I had found a new home after all, and that God is here, warm and welcoming, living amongst us all.
Reflect on God's Word
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:22-25 (NIV)
Take a Moment to Pray:
Dear Lord. Thank you for this space, these walls, the music and the people gathered here together, praising your name. We await, with song and prayer, the coming of our Savior, the King of Peace. We honor our deep roots to the tree of Jesse and the people of Israel. You came - and will come again - not only to redeem us but to bring us into your glorious kingdom of light.
“O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night and turn our darkness into light."
“O come, O King of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease and be yourself our King of Peace.”
Listen to the Carol
Rediscover the wonder of Christmas with this breathtaking piano and cello arrangement of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" performed by The Piano Guys.