Reflect: Emmanuel

Today’s word: Reflect

GO

Ever do that thing where you have sung a song for years and years and never really paid attention to the lyrics? You know how it goes. . . you get so caught up in the music and the beat that you just sing along to the words. You recognize the words (after all — you DO speak the language), but you haven’t just sat down and truly listened and thought about what they mean?

This morning, my two boys and I were having a dance party to some Jamie Grace Christmas music. She has a rendition of “Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel” that is peppy and funky. The first several times I heard it, I just bopped along singing the lyrics as I always had during the advent season.

I’ve been part of my churches’ choirs as long as I remember knowing what it meant to be a part of the choir. I’ve sung with the congregation during Christmas Eve services. I’ve sung solos and duets and trios that used the words to this very popular Christmas time song.

But for whatever reason, today the words made me listen.

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, Oh Israel

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.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

It was this morning that I stopped and really thought about what these words mean.

While this song speaks to this specific time and the feelings of the Israelites waiting for a Messiah, it also spoke to me this morning.

Daily, I feel like I’m conquering hurdle after hurdle. Early motherhood is so stressful and difficult. I feel captive by my children.

That sounds horrible doesn’t it? I chose to have these beautiful babies. I chose to be their mother.

But it’s true. I feel captive of this life that I’ve chosen.

And then I hear the words of this song, and I relax. Because Jesus has come. He has brought salvation and peace and love and joy to this world.

When I feel at my lowest…

When I feel I can no longer go on…

When I feel captive by life’s every day responsibilities…

I can rejoice in the fact that He’s here to guide me and to help me and to show me how blessed I truly am.

“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)

STOP

Tags: advent, emmanuel, five minute friday, reflect