Carol #8: O Come, O Come Emmanuel and On Being 39

Today is my 39th. I have nothing much to say about that, except that I am glad that today is my birthday so that I can post my favorite Christmas song. I went a little overboard and put three versions on the blog. The first, from Selah, is the most visually effective and the Jewish Hatikvah is woven into the song making it all the more poignant. The Lorenna McKennitt one is in Latin ... the original lyrics, and the final one is the Chanticleer version which is my favorite, due to the purity of their voices. I hope you enjoy the various versions. The hymn was written in the mid 19th century; however, the basis was from the antiphons of the 8th century, and the writings of Isaiah.

December is a wonderful month. And I feel it is a blessing to share this month of celebration of our Savior. So many people don't like having December birthdays, but I think it is wonderful to be surrounded by the Christmas spirit on my special day. This song it so sacred. It goes back to the roots of the Jewish plea for a Savior. I am profoundly grateful for Christ ... the peace of His love makes all sorrow fade and the knowledge of his birth brings the deepest 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, O Israel.

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
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Latin

Veni, veni Emmanuel;

Captivum solve Israel,

Qui gemit in exilio,

Privatus Dei Filio.

Refrain

Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel,

Nascetur pro te, Israel!

Veni, veni, O Oriens;

Solare nos adveniens,

Noctis depelle nebulas,

Dirasque noctis tenebras.

Refrain

Veni, Clavis Davidica!

Regna reclude caelica;

Fac iter tutum superum,

Et claude vias inferum.

Refrain

Veni, veni Adonai!

Qui populo in Sinai,

Legem dedisti vertice,

In maiestate gloriae.

Refrain