In the Beginning

Isaiah 7:13-16, Matthew 1: 18-25

With this last antiphon our expectation finds joy in the certainty of fulfillment. We call Jesus by one of the most personal and intimate of his titles, Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” Recalling, through Holy Scripture, God takes up human flesh, incarnate from the Virgin Mary. Our God comes nearer to us than we could have ever imagined! Yet, he is also to be exalted, placed high above us as our king, lawgiver and judge, the one whom we honor and obey.

Christ is born to Mary, her first born child. Even so, he is our Savior, long-expected by all creation. The final cry rises in urgency according to the need of those whose redemption is at hand. God has fulfilled his promise with the birth of this child. The same God will not withhold his grace even as it comes at the cost of the life of Mary’s son. The victory is at hand! And so the Advent Church sings:

O come, O come Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear. Rejoice!

O Come, O Come Emmanuel v. 8 Traditional

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Isaiah 28:16, Ephesians 2:10-16, Matthew 21:42-43

As you look upon photographs of the earth taken from outer space, you should notice something of significance. Between the nations, one cannot distinguish borders. Only those boundaries formed by natural means, such as rivers and oceans, can be seen. There are no lines drawn upon the earth. Yet, in our sinfulness, we humans set boundaries between nations and peoples.

Isaiah prophesied that God would speak his Word through peoples of many nations. Paul reminds the Gentiles they were once outsiders in relationship with God. Yet, Jesus Christ, the cornerstone upon which the foundation of the Church is built, has brought us near to God.

The Messiah is the cornerstone upon whom our spiritual foundations are laid, but on whom unbelievers continue to stumble (Matt. 21:42). This cornerstone unites and binds those who believe, the Jew and gentile, into one, making peace between them (Eph. 2:10-16). And so with the six antiphon in the Octave of Christmas, the Advent Church sings:

O come, O King of Nations come,
O Cornerstone that binds in one;
Refresh the hearts that long for you;
restore the broken, make us new. Rejoice!

O Come, O Come Emmanuel v. 7 Traditional

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Isaiah 60: 1-6, Luke 1:76-79

The title for the fifth antiphon of the Christmas Octave is translated in several ways. Morning star, Dayspring, Rising sun, Radiant dawn; each beautifully expresses the illustration of light shattering the darkness of night. In the same way, the promise of God’s Messiah shatters the darkness of sin, death and the power of the devil.

As humanity continues to walk in the darkness of a fallen and broken world, the light of Christ shatters that which separates God and man. Jesus is indeed the true light. Through him, the Father’s glory is revealed to those who rejoice at the advent of God’s salvation.

In the radiance of the Father’s splendor, the church prays this petition in earnest. For in Christ, light has come into the world. In this light, we are confident in his promise to come again, shattering the darkness forever and ever. And so the Advent church sings:

O come O dayspring, come and cheer;
O Sun of Justice draw near
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadow put to flight.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel v. 6 traditional

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Isaiah 22:20-25, John 20: 19-23

Holding the key means being in control; having the authority to open and shut, the ability to grant entrance through the gate. Isaiah prophecies that there will be one who comes with complete authority. Upon him, God will bestow the key of David. The kingdom gates he will open, and none will shut. He will shut, and none will open.

Jesus himself also made use of this symbol, showing the prophetic relationship of the earthly kingdom of David to the kingdom of God. All power and authority was given to him after the resurrection; Christ holds the key.

Following his glorious resurrection, Christ entrusted this power to “bind and to loose” to Peter and the ministers of his church. This Office of the Keys, the authority to bind and loose is bestowed upon the Church. Yet, even as Christ authorizes such binding and loosing, he alone has the power to forgive sin and reconcile God’s people. So the Advent Church sings:

O come O 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!

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel v. 5 Traditional

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Isaiah 11:1-10, Luke 1:26-33

When we think of the greatest leaders throughout history, we recognize they had many similar qualities. We can say most governed with the best intentions for their people. They cared for the well-being of others, and in so many cases, they understood that it is God who is truly sovereign.

As the people of Israel longed for God’s righteousness, and the world buckled under the weight of sin, the prophet Isaiah brought the Word of God, that from the house of David; God would bring forth his righteousness from the one who is raised from the Root of Jesse, the one of whom Isaiah said would be born of the virgin.

The angel told to Mary, “The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever and his reign will be without end” (Luke 1:32-33). With this antiphon, the hearts and minds of the Church more and more urgently cry out for God’s reign to extend over all humanity: “Come, save us, and do not delay.” And so the Advent Church sings:

O come, O come O Branch of Jesse, free
Your own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell your people save,
And give them vic-t’ry o’er the grave. Rejoice!

O Come, O Come Emmanuel v. 4 Traditional

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Exodus 6:1-8

“Adonai” is Hebrew for “my LORD.” Out of reverence for God, devout Jews will not speak the name revealed to Moses so long ago. Adonai is the endearing term used to recognize the God who is creator of all that is seen and unseen, redeemer of the world, and true God.

The second antiphon in the Octave of Christmas progresses the Church from creation, to the familiar story of God making his name known to his people. The LORD brings Moses into relationship by revealing his name and imparting his law (Ex. 20:1-20) upon the people Israel, whom God chose to live in covenant with him.

Through Holy Scripture, the Church is reminded how God delivered the children of Israel from bondage under pharaoh. This deliverance is a foreshadowing of the redemption from sin which comes through Jesus Christ. The image of God’s arm outstretched in power to save his chosen people brings to mind the later scene of Jesus with his arms outstretched for us on the cross. Through the death and resurrection of his Son, Adonai brings into relationship with him, all who receive his grace through the covenant of Holy Baptism and believe Christ is Lord of all.

And so in Advent the church sings:

O come, O come O LORD of might,
as to your tribes on Sinai’s height.
In ancient times you gave the law
in cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice!

O Come, O Come Emmanuel v. 3 Traditional

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