This is Day 2 of the Seven-Day Creativeness Challenge (which we will now be referring to as 7-in-7 because it's a lot easier to type...and more catchy. Mary's idea.). I wrote it last night and while there may be subtle edits today, but in the spirit of the challenge (and the rules), I will leave it largely as it was--finished--last night. Don't forget to check Mary's blog for her Day 2 project.
In church on Sunday, there was a special music/dramatic reading with the song
O Come, O Come Emmanuel. The way it was sung--slowly, a capella, all verses first, intertwined with history, culminating in the chorus at last--was haunting and beautiful and thought-provoking. So, I kind of stole their concept. It happens all the time in art--ask Shakespeare. Hearing this song shortly after my Old Testament class helped to put it, and Christmas, in perspective a little more. [I have only taken an intro class in Old Testament, and it was only part of the Old Testament. And, let's be honest, I found some of it confusing (all the names look the same). I say that to let you know that some of the facts presented below may be slightly inaccurate, but they get the point across and aren't completely, totally untrue.]
O come, O come, Emmanuel
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appears.
Only for relatively brief moments in history has the nation of Israel been truly free. They were enslaved in Egypt, held practically hostage in the desert (their own fault, but still), captured by Babylon, given a little more freedom under the rule of Persia. At the time of Christ's birth, they were under Roman rule--somewhat free, but not really.
Besides being captive, they were among sinners, ruled by Gentiles. Surrounded.
Furthermore, they had not heard from God in a long, long time. I AM, who had led them out of slavery, through the desert, into the promised land, was silent. Yahweh, who had spoken through prophets, priests, judges, kings, and a donkey, had not said a word.
They were waiting for another rescue. They were waiting for another word.
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might
who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height
in ancient times didst give the Law,
in cloud, and majesty, and awe
God had given them the Law. Realizing its sacredness, they made sure no one would sin by putting in some buffer rules. These buffer rules, meant for protection, became oppressive since they were nearly impossible for the common person to follow.
Israel was looking for help.
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.
The Israelites began to hope. They hoped for another way, a lighter way, a better way.
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.
God's people looked for rescue. They looked for a word, for help, and for hope. God's people were waiting for Emmanuel--God with us.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel
shall come to thee,
O Israel.
Rejoice!
