O Come O Come Emmanuel // Christmas Hymns

I invited us to see Christmas through the lens of timing—how something as ordinary as when popcorn tastes best can hint at a deeper truth: God moves right on time. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel grew out of seven ancient “O Antiphons,” echoing over 400 Old Testament promises that taught God’s people to pray, “Come quickly.” From the first whisper in Genesis 3:15 to Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, and the exilic prophets, Scripture traces a long ache of expectation. Then came the silence—four hundred years with no fresh word—until Gabriel stepped into Mary’s quiet life. Even then there was more waiting: nine months for birth, forty days until Simeon and Anna rejoiced, twelve more years until the temple dialogue, and about thirty years until Jesus’ public ministry. Timing.

I walked us back into the garden, where there was no gap between Creator and creation, and then into the pain that followed the fall—distance, loss, the ache of absence. In the wilderness, God graciously drew near in a tabernacle, yet even then people could come only so close—forty-five feet at best—still longing for unbarred access. Yet they clung to promises: mercies new every morning, faithfulness across generations. And in the fullness of time, God sent His Son—Emmanuel, God with us—to redeem and adopt, to bring us close.

That gives courage for the waits we carry now—healing we long for, relationships that need mending, doors we pray would open, children we’re interceding for, results we fear to read. The same Jesus who arrived at the perfect moment in history is the One who enters our stories with precision. Not early, not late—right on time. And this lands as a question of trust. Not “Do I know about Him?” but “Do I know Him well enough to entrust my future, my family, my finances, my diagnosis, my kids?” We can’t trust someone we don’t know, and we can’t know someone without relationship. Emmanuel has come—and keeps coming—to those who trust Him.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s timing is always right When God seems late, He is often aligning more than we can see—people, places, and the condition of our hearts—to accomplish more than we asked for. The incarnation happened “in the fullness of time,” not a moment too soon or too late. That same precision still governs His care over your life. He won’t miss your moment. [24:56]
• 2. Waiting reveals our deepest hungers The long biblical wait exposed Israel’s ache for presence, not just solutions. Our own delays surface what we truly desire—control, relief, or God Himself. Let the waiting become a classroom where longing matures into love and hope becomes endurance. In that space, prayer turns from “when” to “with.” [12:38]
• 3. Distance narrowed, presence made accessible Humanity once stood yards away from God’s presence, separated by sin and curtains and courts. In Jesus, God stepped out of the box and into our skin so we could come near without fear. Adoption is not a metaphor; it’s access, belonging, and the end of exile. Emmanuel ends the ache of far-off. [14:54]
• 4. Trust grows through relationship with Jesus Trust isn’t a switch; it’s the fruit of knowing Him. If trust feels thin in one area—future, family, finances—let that be an invitation to deeper relationship, not shame. As you draw near, you’ll find His character dependable and His timing purposeful. Knowing Him makes trusting Him possible. [27:05]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:12] - Stale Popcorn and “Right Time”
• [04:13] - O Come Emmanuel: Ancient Roots
• [07:04] - Covenant Threads and Waiting Timeline
• [10:01] - Simeon, Anna, and Forty Days
• [12:38] - The Ache of Separation
• [14:54] - Tabernacle Barriers and Distance
• [17:19] - Promises to Carry Us Waiting
• [19:29] - Our Present Waits and Burdens
• [22:25] - Fullness of Time, Perfect Timing
• [24:56] - He Won’t Miss Your Moment
• [27:05] - Invitation to Trust and Know Him

Bible reading (ESV)
- Genesis 3:15
"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."

- Galatians 4:4–5
"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

- Luke 2:25–32
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
'Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.'"

Observation questions (look closely)

1. What is the first promise in Genesis that begins the long timeline of waiting for the Messiah? [07:04]
2. What phrase in Galatians 4:4 describes when Jesus came, and how does that phrase summarize God’s timing? [19:29]
3. How did Simeon know that the child in the temple was the fulfillment of God’s promise, and what did he do when he saw Jesus? [10:01]
4. What examples of waiting (long and short) were given that show people waited even after Jesus was born? [12:38]

Interpretation questions (dig into meaning)

1. What does the idea of the "fullness of time" suggest about how God coordinates events and human history, and what does that imply for how God works in personal waiting? [24:56]
2. How does the image of the tabernacle as a "box" with limited access (the closest approach being about 45 feet) help explain the emotional and spiritual ache caused by sin? [14:54]
3. When waiting exposes deep hungers (for control, relief, or God Himself), what does that reveal about the difference between wanting an answer and wanting God's presence? [12:38]
4. If trust grows as someone is known, what does it mean practically to "know" Jesus better so trust can increase in areas like family, finances, or health? [27:05]

Application questions (specific, personal steps)

1. Identify one area where you are currently waiting (healing, job, reconciliation, kids, diagnosis, etc.). How will you remind yourself this week that God is at work and aims to come at the right time? Be specific. [24:56]
2. What hunger has this waiting revealed in you—control, quick relief, or a deeper desire for God’s presence? What is one way you will turn that hunger into a prayer this week? [12:38]
3. Name one barrier that keeps you from drawing near (shame, fear, unresolved sin, pride). What one concrete step will you take in the next seven days to move closer to God? (Confession, meeting with a friend, worship, Scripture reading, etc.) [19:29]
4. How does the truth of adoption (Galatians 4:4–5) change how you talk to God in prayer or how you enter the church community? What is one small change you will try this week in how you approach God or others? [19:29]
5. Which spiritual habit would help you know Jesus better so trust can grow—daily Scripture, a short journal of answered prayers, regular prayer with another person, or something else? Which one will you commit to for the next 30 days? [27:05]
6. Is there a person or situation you are waiting for God to move in that you can share with this group so we can pray and check in with you? What would you like us to pray for and how could we encourage you while you wait? [22:25]