o come, o come Emmanuel
This hymn, somber and mysterious, embodies a dance of sorrow, creating space to accept natural realities while rejoicing in heavenly ones. To me, it feels like an anthem for the days we are living in.
Rejoice: to be glad, to delight in.
But do we sometimes need to remind ourselves to rejoice, nudging our souls like David?
Psalm 42:11 ESV
“Why are you downcast oh my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my saviour and my God.”
awaiting the time foretold
I think back to Abraham, Anna, Simeon … all the men and women who were waiting for the foretold King who would “cause great joy for all the people.” From afar, they saw him and rejoiced. Abraham saw this day. Anna and Simeon, too. The shepherds under the nighttime sky. The Magi traveling from lands unknown. Young Mary, not knowing what to expect but just knowing God was in control. Yet their days were no less fraught with trouble than ours today…
Did they doubt when obstacles rose or life’s path curved in a way that didn’t make sense? Or did they continue to praise and rejoice that God’s word never falls to the ground empty?
Many of these people never saw the physical fulfillment of God’s promise to them. But they continued to rejoice. Simeon and Anna held the infant who was destined to be Israel’s consolation, their redemption. Abraham, while his feet walked the earth, never saw that same nation—Israel—become as numerous as the stars. They each observed the promise in its infancy. But I believe they saw the heavenly end. The reality. It was a small beginning and they did not despise it.
And so, how could they not rejoice?
the coming Overcomer
Ah yes, this world will have troubles, but Jesus says to us, “I have overcome the world.”
We hear of so many concerning things every day, but we are still meant to rejoice. Rejoice over God’s word. His promises. His goodness. His plans. His Son. His Spirit. His commands. His love. How can we not rejoice in times like these with the God of Glory within us and for us?
We do live in sobering times. Darkness seems more rampant than ever, even appearing in places where it should never be. I think it is right to be sorrowful at the destruction caused by evil. But here we are: not knowing what to expect but trusting that God’s will is being worked out in ways we can’t comprehend. So we say, like Mary, let it be to me according to your word.
And we rejoice. Even when it seems like we couldn’t possibly.
though it tarry, wait for it
We look back in history to see those who long waited for the Messiah to come. They saw him and rejoiced. They remained steadfast and hopeful even when at times it seemed that the vision tarried. We now are in their same positions, with our eyes fixed on the final coming. We have read the Scriptures. We note the signs given to us who believe. We keep watch over what we have been given to watch. We pack lightly for the journey, bringing ourselves and our raised hands as gifts to the One we adore.
Our eyes shine, our tears reflecting in the light of God’s Light. But he will wipe them away. And we will then rejoice without a hint of sorrow. No shadow of lament will remain.
Why are you downcast, o my soul? Don’t you know that he is coming? Rejoice! Rejoice at His heavenly end and that we have seen this beginning.
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
shall come to thee o, Israel.
