Emmanuel: The Hope and Theology of Christmas
Summary
Merry Christmas and welcome to this special Christmas live stream. Today, we delve into the rich theology and poetry of the beloved Christmas hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." This hymn, with its hauntingly beautiful melody, is not just a song but a profound theological reflection on the anticipation of Christ's coming. It captures the longing for Emmanuel, "God with us," and the hope for both His first and second coming.
The hymn's origins trace back to a seven-verse poem from the eighth century, originally used in a call-and-response format during evening services. Each verse of the hymn highlights a different title of Christ, drawing from deep biblical roots. The refrain, "Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel," serves as a powerful reminder of the joy and hope found in Christ's coming.
Verse one introduces Emmanuel, emphasizing the incarnation—God becoming flesh to dwell among us. This is not just a symbolic presence but a literal restoration of the broken fellowship between God and humanity. The concept of ransom is also explored, with Christ as the ransom for our sins, a theme echoed throughout Scripture.
Verse two presents Christ as the "Wisdom from on High," drawing parallels to the wisdom described in Proverbs and the New Testament. This wisdom is not only about creation but also about the ultimate plan of salvation through Christ. The request for guidance in this verse reflects a desire to live according to Christ's teachings.
Verse three highlights Christ as the "Lord of Might," the lawgiver who fulfills the law through His life and sacrifice. This verse connects the historical giving of the law on Sinai with Christ's ultimate fulfillment of the law.
Verse four refers to Christ as the "Branch of Jesse's Stem," a messianic title rooted in Isaiah. This verse speaks of Christ's victory over death and the grave, offering hope and eternal life.
Verse five introduces the "Key of David," symbolizing Christ's authority to open the way to heaven and close the path to death. This authority extends beyond Israel, encompassing all nations.
Verse six describes Christ as the "Bright and Morning Star," bringing light and life to the world. This imagery connects both to His first coming and the anticipated second coming.
Finally, verse seven culminates with Christ as the "King of Nations," uniting humanity and bringing peace. This vision of unity and love reflects Christ's prayer for oneness among His followers.
Key Takeaways:
- Emmanuel, "God with us," signifies the profound truth of the incarnation, where God became flesh to restore our broken relationship with Him. This is not merely symbolic but a literal presence that brings hope and salvation. [09:01]
- Christ as the "Wisdom from on High" embodies the ultimate plan of salvation and creation. His wisdom guides us in living a life that reflects His teachings and character. [16:32]
- The "Lord of Might" and lawgiver, Christ fulfills the law through His life and sacrifice, bridging the gap between the Old Testament law and the New Testament grace. [27:56]
- The "Key of David" symbolizes Christ's authority to open the way to eternal life and close the path to death, offering hope and assurance of salvation. [35:10]
- As the "King of Nations," Christ unites humanity, bringing peace and love. This vision of unity reflects His prayer for oneness among His followers, emphasizing the importance of love and fellowship. [47:35]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:54] - The Double Perspective of the Song
- [09:01] - Emmanuel: God With Us
- [16:32] - Wisdom from on High
- [19:14] - The Tree of Life and Jesus
- [21:52] - Jesus as Creator
- [25:15] - The Path of Knowledge
- [27:56] - The Lord of Might
- [35:10] - The Key of David
- [40:44] - The Bright and Morning Star
- [42:35] - The Morning Star and Second Coming
- [46:34] - King of Nations and Unity
- [48:55] - The Final Refrain
- [50:29] - Q&A and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 7:14 - "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
2. Matthew 1:23 - "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
3. Revelation 22:16 - "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the name "Emmanuel" as described in the sermon? How does it relate to the incarnation of Christ? [09:01]
2. How does the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" incorporate both the first and second coming of Christ? [02:54]
3. What are the different titles of Christ mentioned in the hymn, and what biblical roots do they have? [27:56]
4. How does the refrain "Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel" serve as a reminder of hope and joy? [09:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "God with us" in the name Emmanuel deepen our understanding of the relationship between God and humanity? [09:01]
2. In what ways does the hymn reflect the longing and anticipation for Christ's coming, both historically and in our present day? [02:54]
3. How does the title "Wisdom from on High" reflect Christ's role in creation and salvation? What does this mean for believers today? [16:32]
4. What does the title "Key of David" signify about Christ's authority and how does it relate to the believer's assurance of salvation? [35:10]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the meaning of "Emmanuel, God with us." How does this truth impact your daily life and relationship with God? [09:01]
2. The hymn speaks of longing for Christ's coming. In what areas of your life do you find yourself longing for Christ's presence and intervention? [02:54]
3. How can you seek and apply the "Wisdom from on High" in your decision-making and daily interactions? [16:32]
4. The hymn mentions Christ as the "Lord of Might." How can acknowledging Christ's power and authority influence the way you face challenges? [27:56]
5. Consider the title "Key of David" and its implications for eternal life. How does this assurance of salvation affect your perspective on life and death? [35:10]
6. The hymn calls for unity and peace among nations. How can you contribute to unity and peace within your community or church? [47:35]
7. Reflect on the imagery of Christ as the "Bright and Morning Star." How can you be a light in your community, reflecting Christ's light to others? [40:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Emmanuel: God With Us
The incarnation of Christ as Emmanuel, "God with us," is a profound truth that signifies God's literal presence among humanity. This is not merely a symbolic gesture but a divine act of restoration, where God took on human flesh to mend the broken relationship between Himself and His creation. The hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" beautifully captures this longing for God's presence and the hope it brings. The concept of ransom is central here, as Christ's coming is seen as the ultimate ransom for our sins, a theme deeply rooted in Scripture. This act of divine love and sacrifice offers hope and salvation to all who believe. [09:01]
Isaiah 7:14 (ESV): "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Reflection: In what ways do you experience God's presence in your daily life, and how can you become more aware of His presence today?
Day 2: Wisdom from on High
Christ as the "Wisdom from on High" embodies the ultimate plan of salvation and creation. This wisdom is not just about intellectual knowledge but encompasses the divine plan for humanity's redemption. The hymn reflects on this wisdom, drawing parallels to the wisdom described in Proverbs and the New Testament. It is a wisdom that guides believers in living a life that reflects Christ's teachings and character. The request for guidance in this verse of the hymn is a heartfelt plea for divine direction in navigating life's complexities, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's life with Christ's teachings. [16:32]
James 3:17 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need God's wisdom today, and how can you seek His guidance in that area?
Day 3: The Lord of Might
Christ is portrayed as the "Lord of Might," the lawgiver who fulfills the law through His life and sacrifice. This title connects the historical giving of the law on Mount Sinai with Christ's ultimate fulfillment of the law, bridging the gap between the Old Testament law and the New Testament grace. The hymn highlights Christ's authority and power, emphasizing His role in bringing about a new covenant through His sacrificial love. This fulfillment of the law is not about abolishing it but completing it in a way that offers grace and redemption to all. [27:56]
Matthew 5:17 (ESV): "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
Reflection: How does understanding Christ as the fulfillment of the law change your perspective on grace and obedience in your spiritual journey?
Day 4: The Key of David
The "Key of David" symbolizes Christ's authority to open the way to eternal life and close the path to death. This authority is not limited to Israel but extends to all nations, offering hope and assurance of salvation. The hymn reflects on this powerful imagery, emphasizing Christ's role in granting access to the kingdom of heaven. This authority is a source of comfort and hope for believers, as it assures them of Christ's power to overcome death and offer eternal life. [35:10]
Revelation 3:7 (ESV): "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.'"
Reflection: What doors in your life do you need Christ to open or close, and how can you trust in His authority to guide you?
Day 5: King of Nations and Unity
As the "King of Nations," Christ unites humanity, bringing peace and love. This vision of unity reflects His prayer for oneness among His followers, emphasizing the importance of love and fellowship. The hymn captures this longing for unity and peace, portraying Christ as the ultimate ruler who brings together diverse peoples under His reign. This unity is not just a future hope but a present reality that believers are called to embody in their relationships and communities. [47:35]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: How can you actively promote unity and peace in your community, reflecting Christ's love and prayer for oneness among His followers?
Quotes
"Jesus is God with us in a very literal and real sense. God actually coming with us. And this is unique because in the garden of Eden, the original failure, sin failure of mankind is broken fellowship with God. And so Christ comes and he's God with us, not only as he walks the earth, but he's restoring man's relationship with God. He's, he's making it so God can be with us, right? Like that was the purpose of Christ coming." [00:08:41] (27 seconds)
"Verse two of the song oh come it says oh come a wisdom from on high who ordered all things mightily to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go. And then you sing the refrain again. The title here, each verse has a different title for Christ. And the title here is Wisdom from on High. Now, I think this has kind of like a threefold meaning. And one of the meanings we're going to get is just the idea that he's from on high." [00:16:32] (27 seconds)
"Long life, he gives us eternal life. Riches, honor. Indeed, he says, Give up all that you have, follow him and you will have great treasures in heaven. He tells us to store up treasures in heaven and where they're eternal. They do not fade. They do not, they're not destroyed by moth or rust. And thieves don't break in and steal. So there's that parallel. Verse 17, Her ways are ways of pleasantness and her paths, all her paths are peace." [00:19:14] (23 seconds)
"Jesus says to the church, which church is this? This is the church in Thyatira. And he says to them, and I will give him the morning star to the one who overcomes. To the one who overcomes, he says, I will give him the morning star. And this is something that you often don't notice when you're reading the letters to the churches. Some of the things Jesus says he'll give them are descriptions of Jesus. So when Jesus says, if you overcome, you hang in there, you trust in me, you follow me, you stay faithful to Christ in your life, what will you get? The morning star. What's the morning star? Jesus. You will get him because he is God with us. And you will have him." [00:42:35] (36 seconds)
"John 17 20 says, I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word. Jesus is literally praying for you in this passage, that they may all be one, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be one, may be in us." [00:47:55] (19 seconds)
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