"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a traditional Christian hymn that dates back to the 9th century and is based on the O Antiphons, a series of verses sung during Advent in the Catholic church. The song is a prayer for Emmanuel, which means "God with us," to come and save the people of Israel from their oppression and exile. Peter Hollens's rendition of the hymn is a hauntingly beautiful a cappella arrangement that captures the solemnity and urgency of the lyrics. The song begins with a plea for God to ransom captive Israel and bring an end to their lonely exile. It then calls upon the day-spring, or the coming of the Messiah, to dispel the darkness and bring new hope to the people. The final verse of the song invokes the Lord of might, who gave the law to the tribes of Israel on Sinai's height. The song ends with a powerful call to rejoice in the coming of Emmanuel and the salvation he brings. Overall, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a deeply spiritual song that has resonated with Christians for centuries. It speaks to the hope and longing for God to come and bring an end to suffering, and the joy that comes with the arrival of the Messiah.
