A Season of Reflection Week 1: The Promise of Hope
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The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen. Deuteronomy 18:15 (ESV)
Will you embrace the hope that he brings this Christmas season?
The music of Christmas can reinforce the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. The Latin hymn “O, Come, O Come Emmanuel” reminds us of the first and second coming of Christ, as seen in the first and fifth verses.
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 Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Charles Wesley’s “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” encompasses the longing and hope infused in our hearts for the Messiah. The first and fourth verses give us the clear picture of why Jesus came to earth.
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king,
Born to reign in us forever, now thy Gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Dragon Images
