WEEK FOUR: OH COME, OH COME EMMANUEL
Do you remember ever asking for a really specific gift for Christmas only to open all of your presents and realize that the special gift you wanted isn’t under the tree? There are a lot of videos online of parents hiding the “last gift,” having their child believe that all the presents have been opened, then filming their reaction when the parents surprise them by saying, “Actually, there’s one more!” and revealing the anticipated big gift that the kid really wanted. Those are always so fun to watch because you see the delight and excitement and hear the laughter and shouting when these children realize that the gift they’ve been waiting for is finally here! Sometimes the best gifts are worth the wait.
“Rejoice!” In the Hebrew Bible (what we refer to as the Old Testament), the story “ends” with the Israelites in waiting. They have just been through a painful period of exile and separation, and so many of the words of the prophets in this time are words of anticipation, awaiting the rescue of the Messiah. This is the backdrop for the song “O Come O Come Emmanuel.” Most of our favorite Christmas songs are fun and celebratory, or even cozy and nostalgic…but this song feels different. While it’s still a pretty popular song during the holidays, this song feels a little bit darker. Sadder. Even a little eerie. And it’s not just the lyrics, although they do paint a pretty bleak picture: “O come o come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.” But the tune itself was written in a minor key, which means that the notes and harmonies chosen are different than those in a typical (more common) major key. Composers often choose to write in a minor key to give an emotional response of uncertainty, dread, despair, or even fear.
But something interesting happens musically in each verse. The lyrics of each verse begin in a minor key, but then the second half shifts on a specific word into a major key (which suddenly lifts the sound and emotions to feel instantly more hopeful and encouraging). The word where this shift takes place is on the word “Rejoice.” We move to a triumphant major chord as the lyrics invite the singer to give praise in these circumstances, because “Emmanuel shall come to thee, o Israel.” This is absolutely a reflection on the writers’ desire to emphasize the resolution to the story as Emmanuel (Jesus Christ, the Messiah) arrives to rescue and redeem these people who have been waiting for generations. However, the composition once again takes an unexpected turn as each verse goes back into a minor key to end the phrase. I believe this is intentional, because in the setting of the song, the Israelites are rejoicing…but the answer to their prayers has not yet come.
Where are you still waiting? Where do you hope for and anticipate a miracle from God that you can’t see yet? We can sing this song at Christmastime from the perspective of people who already have been redeemed by Jesus, but it’s helpful to remember that God works in the waiting. As we enter into the new year, let’s rejoice and thank God, not just for what he has already done for us, but what he WILL do. Even if we can’t see the end of the story yet, I promise that God’s plan is always, always worth the wait.