O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

One of my all time favorite Christmas carols is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. I have performed the carol many times as a piano solo, several choral arrangements, orchestra arrangements, and in the last couple of years, a wonderful arrangement for choir, cello, and piano. The cello part was played b Jonathan Gathman, one of the most creative and accomplished musicians I have ever had the privilege to perform with.

In medieval Europe, there were cathedral services each evening leading up to Christmas Eve. Each service would begin with an antiphon, a choral call to worship. There were seven "Great O Antiphons," beginning with the Latin word veni (come), followed by the Latin words for "O Wisdom," O Lord," "O Branch of Jesse," "O Key of David," "O Dayspring," "O King of Nations," and "O Emmanuel." It is believed that O Come, O Come Emmanuel was written in the 12th century. These choral prayers were rooted in messianic titles used by the prophets in the Old Testament, pleas for God to come. In the 1800s, various English translations of the "Great O Antiphons" were made. This well-loved British version is the work of Thomas Alexander Lacey, who was born today, December 20, 1853.

   O come, O come, Emmanuel! Redeem Thy captive Israel.
   That into exile drear is gone, far from the face of God's Son.


   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel. Shall come to Thee, O Israel.


   O come, Thou Branch of Jesse! Draw the quarry from the lion's claw.
   From the dread caverns of the grave, from nether hell, Thy people save.


   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel. Shall come to Thee, O Israel.


   O come, O come Thou Dayspring bright! Pour on our souls thy healing light;
   Dispel the long night's lingering gloom, and pierce the shadows of the tomb.


   Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel. Shall come to Thee, O Israel.