As we approach the first Sunday of Advent, North State Journal will explore some of the hymns that add to the spirit of Christmas. Advent, from the Latin word ‘adventus’, meaning ‘coming’, is a season of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The origin of Advent can be traced back to the 4th century, where it was a time of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany. Over time, the focus shifted to the second coming of Jesus, and by the Middle Ages, the Advent season had been firmly established as a time to prepare for Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before December 25th.
The first Sunday of Advent, which marks the start of the liturgical year for Christians, is centered around the theme of hope and prophecy. It is a reminder of the anticipation of Christ’s birth and the hope of his return. The ancient hymn “O come, O come, Emmanuel”, a staple in the Christmas hymn catalog of most churches, embodies the spirit of waiting and expectations woven into the first Sunday of Advent.
“O come, O come, Emmanuel” dates back over 1,200 years, originating in monastic life in the 8th or 9th century. The hymn is based on the O Antiphons, a set of traditional chants used in church services leading up to Christmas. These chants, sung during evening prayers known as Vespers, give Christ names or titles reflecting His nature and role in Christianity. This special series of chants starts a week before Christmas and reaches its high point with the final chant on Christmas Eve.
The Latin text of the hymn, as we know it today, first appeared in the early 18th century but gained widespread popularity in the English-speaking world through the 1851 translation by John Mason Neale, which was included in the influential Hymns Ancient and Modern. The hymn’s lyrics and melody capture the themes of longing and redemption, resonating with the Advent message of awaiting and anticipating the savior’s arrival.
Each stanza of “O come, O come, Emmanuel” paraphrases one of the O Antiphons and is followed by a refrain, “Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” This refrain echoes the joy and anticipation of Advent, as believers around the world prepare their hearts for Christmas.
The hymn’s lyrics draw from prophetic texts that foretell Christ’s coming and his role as a redeemer. The use of titles like ‘Emmanuel’ (meaning ‘God with us’), ‘Rod of Jesse’, and ‘Key of David’ directly reference messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, particularly in Isaiah, affirming the connection between the Old and New Testaments.
As Advent commences, “O come, O come, Emmanuel” serves as a reminder of the season’s spiritual journey on this first Sunday of Advent. It invites believers to reflect on the mystery of the incarnation and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies in the birth of Jesus Christ.
North State Journal has its own Spotify channel with selections for each week of Advent.
