25 Carols ‘Til Christmas

Carols playing throughout the house, twinkling lights everywhere, and a daily devotional reading in anticipation of Christmas Day are three of my favorite things!

I was completely surprised several years ago when my granddaughter and I requested that Alexa (the technological device sitting on their tabletop) play Christmas carols. There were none. Sure, the machine played a plethora of popular holiday tunes, but no matter how we rephrased our request, Christmas Carols were non-existent.

I’ve been recently reading the words to these carols. The truth that resonates through each is amazing! The proclamation of Christmas’ meaning permeates every song!

So for the next 25 Days, let’s listen to one carol a day and reflect on the truth hidden in its words.

Let’s start with “Come, O Come Immanuel.”

Here are the words I want us to notice:

O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.

O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel

Immanuel, is translated “God with us,” referring to Jesus Christ. Look at His names in this carol: Immanuel, Son of God, Bright and Morning Star, King of nations, King of Peace. Take a moment and meditate on each name. Which name means the most to you and why?

Israel, in captivity with sorrow, loneliness and isolation awaited the Messiah Jesus. There are many feeling lonely, isolated and sorrowful in our nation and world today.

What does Jesus do for all feeling alone? In His birth on this earth, He came not only to live among us but to live within us who believe. He fills us with His personal Spirit so we are never alone. When we believe, we become “Jesus with skin on” to those around us. He binds our hearts, healing us from within by removing the sorrow of loneliness and isolation. He also binds we who believe together, bringing comfort, dispelling shadows, removing divisions, and giving us peace.

What a perfect season to ask God to first fill us with His Spirit of comfort and peace so we may simultaneously reach out to others in His love to bring encouraging hope, light and peace. May His light shine within us and exude from us during these difficult times to touch those around us so in need of the Messiah, the Savior, God among us, God within us… Jesus.

And rejoice! Jesus is here! He came and He will come again… possibly sooner than you may think. Let’s be ready?

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us). Isaiah 7:14