The Songs Tell the Story: A Family Advent DevotionalSample

The Song that Gets to the Heart of Christmas

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” has been sung throughout the world by God’s people for more than twelve centuries. It is most often sung during the final week of Advent, as a reminder of the Magnificat, or Mary’s Song, from Luke 1:46–55.

At first, the song and the melody seem to be sad and reflective of hard times. However, it’s the opposite. Emmanuel is one of the names associated with Jesus. The name means “God with us.”

The first verse reminds us of the many years Israel was held captive by the Babylonians and Assyrians. But the words tell those from Israel to “Rejoice! Rejoice!” Emmanuel, their promised Messiah, would come. God would be with them. On the day Christ was born in Bethlehem, Emmanuel came to dwell on the earth—and Jesus is still Emmanuel, God with us, today.

The hymn has many stanzas, and each describes a hope that Christians have because of Christmas. The deepest meaning of the holiday is found in a name, Emmanuel, God with us.

The Magnificat reveals Mary’s praise after realizing she had been chosen to carry and give birth to God’s Son. In Luke 1:46–49, Mary sang, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

Mary may have been the first one to realize in amazement what it was like to have the Son of God alive and within her, but she was not to be the last. Every Christian has received God’s Holy Spirit, and he is Emmanuel, God with us.

Because of Christmas, Jesus dwells within the life of every believer.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel has come!