With everything that is tragically going on in the world lately, it’s no surprise that in order to feel depressed, you only have to turn on the television and listen to the news. From terrorist attacks in Lebanon and Paris, to the tally of mass shootings in the United States, it’s no wonder we can practically feel the world’s pain when we step outside, read the newspaper, or go to the local supermarket.
However, all hope is not lost. There is hope and we can take comfort in knowing that it is already here! Hope is already here and it is with us. I’ll explain using my favorite Christmas hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
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This hymn’s musical style is beautiful. The whole song seems to be a mourning lullaby. It’s in a minor cord and sounds very depressing. However, there is still rejoicing and a change in tone when the hymn says, “Rejoice! Rejoice!” Before getting into the beauty of what that means, let me start with a very brief history lesson.
During the Old Testament period, the people of Israel were scattered across the land after Judah was sacked by the Assyrians (701 BC) and Israel was sacked by the Babylonians (586 BC). Due to the lands being taken from them, the people of Israel were left in exile. Jerusalem was destroyed and the temple was burned. Israel ceased to be considered as a nation. It seemed all hope was lost. This is where the image of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" comes in.
The hymn’s opening lines say, “And ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here.” The word ‘ransom,’ when used in this way, can be compared to ‘redeem’ or the concept of ‘redemption.’ So what is being said is, “O come, Emmanuel (God with us), redeem captive Israel.” This line is a call to the Messiah of the people, who was prophesied as being “God with us--Immanuel” (Isaiah 7.14), to redeem them from this captivity and exile they face. Until the Son of God appears, Israel will wait in exile. But in the midst of their exile, they will rejoice because that hope is coming! God has promised a savior for His people! The people of Israel, despite their current condition, await expectantly and in hope for the savior that God has promised. Emmanuel will come to His people.
The song goes on with a lot of brilliant theological imagery, but I want to focus on this specific image of the hymn. As I said earlier, this song has a very slow and sad beat. It’s in a minor cord and it sounds very depressing. Almost like it’s sung by someone who is mourning over tragedy. But at the end of each stanza, there’s the line, “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, shall come to thee O Israel.” This has a beautiful implication. Even in the midst of Israel’s pain, even in the midst of their tragedy, they still rejoice. It sounds unbelievable! Despite them practically wailing and mourning their exile, they are continuing to rejoice. Why? What reason could they possibly have to rejoice, despite their mourning? Their hope. Their hope in the savior that God has promised.
And that savior has come. His name is Jesus Christ. Isaiah 7.14 says that Immanuel will be born of a virgin. That virgin is Mary. Jesus is born to Mary (Mt 1.18-25). The whole reason Christmas is a big deal is because it’s the mark of the birth of Jesus, the savior of the world! Just as a reminder, look around at your neighbor’s Christmas decorations and I guarantee you that at least one of them will have a nativity scene of some sort. The scene depicts baby Jesus in a manger, surrounded by Mary, Joseph, the three wise men, animals, and angels. This pinnacle moment is the moment where that hope became flesh. That hope in a savior has come and it is beautiful.
We can have hope now, despite our tragedies because God has fulfilled His promise. Jesus has won. When Jesus died on a cross, He beat death and conquered our shame and guilt. Of course we still live in a fallen world but because Jesus has already won, we await the moment where even Creation is redeemed. When that happens, there will be no more mourning or death, no more crying or pain, and God will wipe away all tears (Rv 21.4). Do not lose hope. It is still here. God makes good of His promises. He always fulfills for He is faithful. This why I will not lose hope this Christmas season, and I encourage you to do the same. Despite the negativity in the world right now, have hope because it is there, and it has been fulfilled!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
