Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel!

Out on the deck, taking some up to date photographs to continue documenting the wonder of this new set of seasons we’re experiencing here in Wake Forest, I spied a lone leaf, hanging on for dear life in the face of obvious winter conditions.

It made me think about the amazing beauty that characterizes each season. The fall colors here were spectacular, but now I’m enjoying watching the unique shapes of the trees emerge from behind the leaves. Even the multiple shades of gray have a peculiar beauty to them.

IMPATIENT: I realize that we are a culture that is impatient much of the time (we want fall colors all at their peak, we want the weather perfect today, then we want it to be spring, and we always want it right now). But there is a beauty to the transitions between the seasons that – I believe – makes the highlights more meaningful, and that is necessary if next year’s spring is to mean anything at all.

This morning my walk with Scout was cut short by a cold, clammy, rain. But knocking the water off my hat, parking my wet shoes by the door, and finding a dog-sized towel to dry off paws, tail, and underbelly made the first cup of coffee taste even better. The grayness outside enhances the cheeriness of the fire and the Christmas tree.

Likewise, part of the beauty of Advent is our growing awareness of the emergence of divinity among the mundane routines of daily life. Yes, I’m a huge advocate of the truth that our relationship with God is new every morning, and that our day-in, day-out lives can be full with abundant life; but there is a particular specialness that comes with the “sacred rhythms” of the Christian Year; and there are spiritual paths we walk down during December that are – like the brief blaze of glorious color on the trees in the fall – unique to this season, and dependent on deliberate, prayerful, navigation.

Each season has its appeal. I may be embracing this winter with more enthusiasm because it’s been so long since I’ve had the experience; but the passion with which I’m engaging Advent, this season of expectation, comes because I know exactly where this path leads. Advent leads to God’s great gift, the breaking into time and space of love, peace, hope, and joy; Advent is the spiritual experience of promise.

– DEREK

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, 
And ransom captive Israel, 
That mourns in lonely exile here 
Until the Son of God appear. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high, 
Who ordered all things mightily; 
To us the path of knowledge show, 
and teach us in her ways to go. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might, 
Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height 
In ancient times gave holy law, 
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come O Rod of Jesse’s stem, 
From ev’ry foe deliver them 
That trust your mighty pow’r to save; 
Bring them in vict’ry through the grave. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, O Key of David, come, 
And open wide our heav’nly home; 
Make safe the way that leads on high, 
And close the path to misery. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high, 
And cheer us by your drawing nigh, 
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, 
And death’s dark shadows put to flight. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind 
In one the hearts of all mankind; 
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease, 
And be yourself our King of Peace. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel 
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Author: French Processional
Tune: Veni Emmanuel
1st Published in: 1854