Moment of Oneness, December 6, 2023

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Today, we are going to pray with and explore ancient hymn “O Come Emmanuel” or in Latin: "Veni, veni, Emmanuel". Who knows what Emmanuel means?

It means: God with Us

Where does it come from:

What is your response to that picture? It was so startling to me… and yet…. It makes sense! Have I – have you - ever thought of Mary’s pregnant belly? Maybe we can pray with this image during the week.

Let’s pray with Monks who are chanting this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5fH7xJ9OfA

NOTE: stop at about 1 minute after Emmanuel

For sure, now we need to know that Emmanuel – God IS with us – more now than ever.

• As you know, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is a Christian hymn sung during Advent and Christmas seasons. The text was originally written in Latin in the 12^th century. The song is a paraphrase of the “O Antiphons.”
• The “O Antiphons” are short sentences sung or recited before the Magnificat at Vespers – evening prayer - over the last seven days of Advent. The O Antiphons themselves likely date to sixth-century Italy, when Boethius, a philosopher, refers to the text in “The Consolation of Philosophy”.

• The Antiphons subsequently became one of the key musical features of the days leading up to Christmas.

Let’s listen to a traditional version of the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xtpJ4Q_Q-4

• This version of lyrics set to this melody was created in the mid-1800s. The translation is by John Mason Neale and was included in the Hymns Ancient and Modern. His translation is the most common in the English-speaking world, but other English translations also exist.

• As I prayerfully pondered this song, I noticed how some of the language supports atonement theology. It would be a beautiful prayer exercise to update the wording to reflect accompaniment theology – God becoming human in Jesus to accompany us and how us how to live in love, peace, joy, and inclusion with justice.

• Translations into other modern languages, particularly German, are also in widespread use.

• The lyrics are set to a variety of melodies.

Let’s listen to a different rhythm by Steve Angrisano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pEFHSo1ssE

NOTE: end at the end of the verse are 1:34ish

Immanuel or Emmanuel brings us back to our rich Jewish roots and the prophet Isaiah. We will end with a version of the song by our award-winning Jewish brother, Joshua Aaron which was filmed in Jerusalem. As we listen to Joshua and his band – may we pray that Immanuel – the Holy One – will be with all leaders and people – bringing true peace in the Middle East and rippling out to cover the entire world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFoFOZmSIfY