O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Isaiah 7:14; Matt 1:22,23

This is the first of our 5 Carols of Christmas that have deep Biblical backgrounds from which they were written. The danger in any celebration is that we might repeat the common songs without knowing the origins or savoring the words as they were intended. This carol is maybe the oldest of all – late Latin around 800AD. The verses reflect deep roots in both Old and New Testaments – I will go to both. We will begin in Isaiah where a frightened people cried out to God for Him to come and deliver them from their enemies. Centuries later the same people crying out again under the cruel rule of a new enemy raise the same prayer. All along God is keeping His word to His people – I will be with you!

Psalm 46:7 “The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. “

Join us this Sunday for the beginning of our Christmas season with celebrations of the coming of the Messiah to save His people! Not just the Jews in the days of Isaiah nor just the Jews in the days of the Romans – but the God who loved them loves us! He is here – now – for us!

Pastor Mike