The song, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is an adaptation of the “O Antiphons” – a set of early medieval advent prayers.
In Wright's setting, he has the children sing "O come, O come, O come..." probably 50 times over. And the way he does it doesn't get boring! With at least three different parts, staggered in waves – you hear wave after wave of voices crying out – pleading "O come, O come, O come, O come..." echoing thousands of voices over hundreds of years – voices crying out for salvation crashing over you!
The cynic says "Where is the promise of his coming?!"
Yes, they had asked that for 500 years after the restoration of Jerusalem! And from the time of Malachi to the time of John the Baptist there were 400 years of silence.
We are waiting – indeed we are hastening – the coming of the day of God. And as we wait – and as we hasten – that day, we would do well to imitate the faith of those who cried out through all ages: "O come, O come, O come, O come!!"
Come quickly, Lord Jesus! |
