I Stopped Singing My Favorite Advent Hymn

No song quite resonates with the spirit of Advent better than the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and its tune VENI IMMANUEL. The tune is from the 15th century, and the lyrics are even older, dating back to the 8th century.

Just hearing the first few notes puts you in the holiday spirit. It is a classic sung across Christian denominations of various theological stripes.

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

But I stopped singing it.

I have grown increasingly distressed by the characterization of (ancient) Israel as "captive" and in need of ransoming. One could point to biblical passages that affirm this understanding. However, in the context of Christian worship and in consideration of Christianity's longstanding proclivity toward anti-Jewish language and practice, I worry we are hearing in this hymn a message of Christian superiority. It can be easy to interpret these lines as saying that Judaism was in exile until the Son of God appeared and established Christianity. This portrait of Judaism is neither historically accurate (Second Temple Judaism was a vibrant and diverse faith in the centuries before Jesus) nor theologically acceptable (contemporary Judaism is likewise a vibrant and diverse faith tradition).

Furthermore, it is not so clear what the word, "Israel" signifies in this hymn.

1st century Jews? The ancient kingdom of Israel? Contemporary Jews? Modern-day Christians?

I think it matters greatly who the people are in this hymn waiting on Immanuel / the Son of God. As Christians sing it, I believe they see themselves in this hymn. We are the ones waiting for Immanuel to appear. So, perhaps "Israel" is not the word we want to use.

New Lyrics

Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad wrote new lyrics for this hymn. The words are influenced by the Advent Year A Scripture lessons.

O come, O come Immanuel
And bless each place your people dwell
Melt every weapon crafted for war
Bring peace upon the earth forever
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Take heart and do not fear,
God’s Chosen One, Immanuel draws near.

O come, green shoot of Jesse, free
Your people from despair and apathy;
Forge justice for the poor and meek,
Grant safety for the young ones and weak.
Refrain

O come, now living water, pour your grace
And bring new life to every withered place
Speak comfort to each trembling heart
Be strong! Fear not, for I will ne’er depart.”
Refrain

O come, dear child of Mary, come
God’s word made flesh within our earthly home
Love stir within the womb of night
Revenge and hatred put to flight.
Refrain

Words by Barbara K. Lundblad

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