Advent Carol for December 13

Advent Carol for December 13

Advent Carol for December 13

AdventComments Off on Advent Carol for December 13

Written by Lise Caldwell

 

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.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4). The Christmas season, for me, is a time when true joy is often overshadowed by excitement, delight, and beauty–or anxiety, to-do lists, and expectations. Some people thrive in December–some merely survive it. This carol reminds me that true joy is often born out of longing and desperation. Joy is the right response to the gratification of a deep and intense need–or the expectation of it. “Death’s dark shadows” are not put to flight by your favorite Christmas movie, or getting (or giving) the “perfect” gift on Christmas morning. Christmas lights, Christmas cookies, trips to grandma’s house–none of these free us from Satan’s tyranny. While the Christmas season is filled with many wonderful pleasures, never mistake pleasure for joy. Instead, take a moment to recognize your captivity–your need to be ransomed. Then experience the joy that your Redeemer was born 2000 years ago. And your Redeemer lives today.

 

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