Rethinking the Season

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 Wisdom from on high,Who orderest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny; From depths of hell Thy people save, And give them victory over the grave.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

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.

O come, O come, great Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times once gave the law In cloud and majesty and awe.

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree, An ensign of Thy people be; Before Thee rulers silent fall; All peoples on Thy mercy call.

O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Medieval tune rearranged by Neale, 1851

This medieval song carries a power and a depth and a magic that often seems to be missing in our modern celebrations. When you read the words to this song, is anything stirred in your heart? Is there something holding your heart in bondage this Christmas season? What would bring you joy? It almost seems taboo to waist "valuable time" pondering such thoughts. This year, step away from the mad rush of buying and selling and enter in to the solitude that will allow you to find answers to these questions. They may be the most important questions you ever ask!