The song "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a Christmas hymn that dates back to the 12th century. It is a plea for the coming of the Messiah, Emmanuel, who is mentioned in the book of Isaiah in the Bible. The lyrics express the longing and hope of the people of Israel for their deliverance from captivity and their desire for the arrival of the Son of God. The song begins with the plea for Emmanuel to come and ransom the captive Israel. It refers to the Israelites who were taken into exile and are mourning in isolation until the promised Messiah appears. The repetition of "Rejoice! Rejoice!" emphasizes the anticipation and joy of the people as they wait for their Savior to come. The next stanza calls for the Dayspring to come and bring cheer. The Dayspring is a reference to the rising sun, symbolizing the coming of Christ who will disperse the darkness and bring light and hope. The lyrics convey the desire for the gloomy clouds of night and the shadows of death to be dispelled by the presence of the Savior. The final stanza of the song shifts the focus from Israel to all of humanity. It asks for the Desire of nations, referring to Jesus, to bring unity and peace to the hearts of all mankind. The lyrics express the longing for divisions to cease and for Jesus to establish himself as the King of Peace. Overall, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a powerful hymn that captures the longing for the arrival of the Messiah and the hope for deliverance and peace. It speaks to the universal desire for redemption and the longing for unity among all people.
