Originally, the beautiful O Come, O Come Emmanuel Christmas carol was an ancient hymn. The Christian Latin tune is named “Veni Emmanuel” which is translated to mean “Come God with Us.” This beautiful Advent hymn stirs the heart and brings forth the message for the faithful to enjoy the holiday season.
Originally, O Come O Come Emmanuel was a song from the medieval Roman Catholic Church from the 12th century. John Mason Neale translated the Advent hymn into English in the 19th century. With the English translation, the popularity of the Christmas carol grew exponentially.
Since Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day, the entire season is an anticipation of Christ’s first arrival on Earth. This song was ideal to represent the season of excited enthusiasm for one of the most important holidays for Christian believers.
Since the coming of Jesus was predicted when the Jews were captive in Babylon, Advent has always been an important time of the year for the faithful. This song captures the longing and high expectations that Advent represents, promoting and encouraging peace and longing for a better future.
How did O Come O Come Emmanuel come to be translated? During the 19th century, it became more and more popular to translate many ancient Greek, Latin and German hymns into English for a greater appreciation of the songs. Lots of new songs were brought into popularity thanks to these numerous interpretations.
The heritage of many Greek and Latin hymns were enjoyed by the masses after these interpretations and English translations. John Mason Neale was one of the avid translators and from his work, O Come O Come Emmanuel was brought into the public consciousness to a higher degree.
O come, O come, Emmanuel
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.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Learn O come, O come, Emmanuel with this friendly instrumental guitar arrangements.
Hope and Excitement For the Faithful
Originally, it is thought that the beginnings of O Come O Come Emmanuel are from at least the 8th Century and is a text based on Isaiah 7:14 that says that God will give the faithful a sign and that the birth of Jesus will fulfill it. The holiday season hymn reflects this hope and excitement for the faithful.
The traditional music of O Come O Come Emmanuel itself is from a 15th Century French processional that Franciscan nuns would use. However, since it is one of the most solemn hymns available, researchers also believe the music may have been used by Gregorian monks in the 8th Century. Once it was released and put into the public after its translation, O Come O Come Emmanuel has become one of the most cherished and loved hymns that are available during the holiday season.