From the recording O Come, O come Emmanuel
A few words about “O Come, O Come Emmanuel/O White City”
I chose this song because after much consideration it seemed to be a Christmas song that was kind of by the wayside of my memories. After intently reading the lyrics I identified with the longing cry for a saviour that the Jewish people must have felt, though I know this was written sometime in the 12th century and was most likely of Catholic or Protestant origin. But the sincerity of pain and suffering knows no religion, and those times were often dark.
And so something about these verses called out to me just as the writer called out to the Lord to send the redeemer.
But even though the Lord answered the cries and prayers of His people, His people rejected the Saviour He sent. Hence the tag I wrote at the end of this song “O White City”.
It is taken from
Luk 13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, {the city} that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen {gathers} her brood under her wings, and you would not {have it!}.
Luk 13:35 "Behold, your house is left to you {desolate;} and I say to you, you will not see Me until {the time} comes when you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!' "
The pain and irony of answered prayer finding no quarter is agonizing. To consider that Jesus came and pined for us, and we rejected Him.
So as we remember the season in which Jesus was born, let us not forget why He came. So that none should perish, but have everlasting life.
Lyrics
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Lyrics
Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Tag:
O white city
I would have gathered you under my wing
I longed to gather you children
But you would not listen to me
O white city
You will not see me again
Until you say
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord