O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23

Last evening December 24^th, 2020 as the sun had just set. My wife came to me and said, “Your band is outside playing.” As if I was a child, I jumped to my feet and went outside quickly. All I could hear was the sweet music. It was the playing of three members from the Salvation Army band filling the air with the peace of heaven. The neighbors and I were blessed. These three men had not lost the old-time tradition, even in this COVIC 19 pandemic.  In their own way through music, they were telling the world of their experience and love of God by sending us YAH SHUA which we call Jesus at His birth. To all of them, we all say thank you. The birth of a song is a beautiful experience to be involved in as well. But when history and creativity meet in writing a song, you have something extraordinary.

This could be said of the song O come O come Emmanuel. O Come, O Come Emmanuel’ was originally written in Latin with a title of ‘Veni, Veni, Emmanuel’ (documents featuring the title and words date back to 1710). The English translation of the Christmas Carol came about between 1851 to 1853 by John Mason Neale, but the melody is much older. It goes back to the 13th-century from the tune called ‘Tempus adest floridum’ in praise of the spring.

The carol was written for the Feast of St Stephen, better known as Boxing Day. And it celebrates the long tradition of charitable giving on the Second Day of Christmas which is December 26. Over the years, the song has become one of the best loved carols ever written.

However, no matter how large may be a man's claim to knowledge, to wisdom, unless he is under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, he is exceedingly ignorant of spiritual things. He may handle truth in such a way that little understanding is imparted to his inner heart life....

In our text, Matthew points out that the baby born by Mary, was God in human flesh. To wit, that God was in Christ personally, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:19-21

There is no sentence more profound in the whole of Scripture then Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians, (Atlanta, Ga.: Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Executive Committee for Home Missions) p. 211. 2 Cor 5:18-21 discloses a profound truth: God not only initiates reconciliation. He is its goal. "Through Christ every obstruction is removed, and access to God is secured. Man is urged and welcomed to the pardoning love of God. By His love for fallen men, God is honored and glorified and magnified through Jesus Christ. God can be just, and yet pardon the transgressor. Oh, what love, what matchless love!"—Ellen G. White, The Home Missionary, Nov. 1, 1897.

“By sin man was shut out from God. Except for the plan of redemption, eternal separation from God, the darkness of unending night, would have been his. Through the Saviour’s sacrifice, communion with God is again made possible. We may not in person “approach into His presence; in our sin we may not look upon His face; but we can behold Him and commune with Him in Jesus, the Saviour.... God is “in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” ...

The life and the death of Christ, the price of our redemption, are not only to us the promise and pledge of life, not only the means of opening again to us the treasures of wisdom; they are a broader, higher revelation of His character than even the holy ones of Eden knew. And while Christ opens heaven to man, the life which He imparts opens the heart of man to heaven. Sin not only shuts us away from God, but destroys in the human soul both the desire and the capacity for knowing Him. All this work of evil it is Christ’s mission to undo. The faculties of the soul, paralyzed by sin, the darkened mind, the perverted will, He has power to invigorate and to restore. He opens to us the riches of the universe, and by Him the power to discern and to appropriate these treasures is imparted.” Education, 28.

What impact does Christ's death have on our relationship with God and with one another? What is the extent of the reconciliation Christ won? 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Eph. 2:11-22; Col. 1:19, 20; Gal. 3:26, 20.

Paul's focus in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 is on reconciliation between humans and God. This is "vertical" reconciliation. However, God's reconciling work in Christ also affects our relationships with others. This is "horizontal" reconciliation. That Paul also is interested in reconciliation among Christians is obvious for at least two reasons: (1) Paul remains concerned about his relationship with the Corinthian believers. When he pleads, "Be reconciled to God" (verse 20, NIV), he also is asking them to open their hearts to him (2 Cor 6:11); (2) In chapters 8 and 9, we see the deep commitment Paul has to reconciliation between Jewish and Gentile Christians. "The collection" discussed there is likely his way of nurturing such reconciliation.

So, "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 Dayspring, from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel." From my family to yours, Seasons Greetings to you.

 

Song of the Day: By three members of the Bermuda Salvation Army Band playing O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

Click on

https://youtu.be/VW7KSErALkI 

Remember, if God brings you to it, HE will bring you through it. Keep your head up today, your test will become your testimony.

I would like to take a moment to thank you for your prayers for this ministry. It is my prayer that God may always bless you, and your family. I welcome your comments. So, write to  comments  

 

Why not tune in to our newest ministry. It’s called, (YOU AND THE WORD). It's aired live on Facebook live every Friday evening from 7 o’clock, Eastern Standard Time, or 8 o’clock in Bermuda. YOU AND THE WORD is an open Bible study that you can join into with your question or comments. Join me and look up Kevin Santucci on facebook live.

 

Garden Ministry Devotionals are written by Chaplain Dr. Kevin J.T. Santucci

 

Blessings, Blessings, Blessing 

 

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