“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
If you could sum up the story of Scripture in three words, what would they be? From the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, I am convinced a case could be made that the central theme can be summarized by the phrase, “God with us.” It makes sense, then, that the name given to the One who can make this purpose possible is Emmanuel (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23).
Paul, known as the apostle of grace, succinctly states that the purpose of Christ’s coming was “a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him” (Eph. 1:10). John, with the reputation of being the apostle of love, revealed the endgame of God’s grand purpose with a loud voice, declaring, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God” (Rev. 20:3). The last chapter of the Bible issues the emotive call of “Come!” (Rev. 22:17). This is the same repeated call of longing that emerges from the cherished Christmas carol, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”
Rooted in the rich promises of the Old Testament, the song points us first back to how God fulfilled those promises in Christ under the New Covenant at His first coming. But it doesn’t stop there. This hymn is also composed to stir up our anticipation for the Second Advent of Christ. As one theologian put it, “When we sing ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,’ we offer our imperative prayer to God, longing for the return, the second coming of Jesus…So, Christian, this Christmas, sing this great hymn of the church, this great Christmas carol, with a recognition that, as you do, you stand in three distinct periods—in the Old Testament looking forward to Christ’s first coming, in the New Testament church rejoicing in the first coming of Christ, and with the expectancy of those who are waiting for the final advent of Christ at the end of all things. O come, O come, Lord Jesus. Come soon.”[1]
As you listen to this cherished song of longing, may it fuel worship-based prayer to our God who is continually with us (click the title to see the video).
Led by Shane and Shane and Phil Wickham
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Jesus, I praise You for being my Emmanuel, especially when…
Jesus, I worship You because You have ransomed me from…
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, oh Israel
Jesus, I rejoice in Your presence with me because…
Emmanuel, please make Your presence known to (name).
Oh 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
Jesus, I confess that I’ve allowed the difficulty of…to cloud my awareness of Your presence.
Lord, I need Your light to drive out the darkness of…
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, oh Israel
Jesus, thank You that I can rejoice in Your presence even when…
Jesus, may the light of Your presence be with (name), so that…
Oh come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them victory over the grave
Jesus, may Your presence bring protection from Satan’s tyranny of…
Emmanuel, please save (name), so that they…
Give (name) freedom and victory over…
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, oh Israel
Jesus, I praise You that when You come again, You will…
Jesus, because You are returning, I can have victory over…
Copyright © 2025 Justin Jeppesen. All rights reserved.
Song copyright @ Shane and Shane O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Vol. 3) CCLI: 7036003 & 7036004
[1] https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/o-come-o-come-emmanuel
Skip to content