O Come O Come

I had the incredibly unique experience of being transported to another...much "higher plane" of existence this morning when the congregation of my church sang O come O Come Emmanuel . One of my favorite hymns ever and a simply haunting song that frequently has provided the sound track in my musical minds eye for many profound events in my life...particularly recently.


I think GOD speaks to us in many various and often unique ways...music certainly for many of us is one of those ways. As the church filled with incredible intensity and emotion as the congregation sang...I felt as if I was levitated off the floor, incredible.


I got home and Googled the song and dozens of versions came up on YouTube. I am including one of my favorite versions by Enya here: 

This is a difficult concept of mine to explain to others but I find much JOY in certain things that initially seem Haunting or Haunted. I think I must equate it to INTENSITY but there is such incredible beauty in this haunting melody. And in turn I see life through much the same filtered lens: A haunted...candle-lit, melodic stroll through smoky woods at dusk...just as the last crimson glow of day-time fades to black. "O Come O Come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel..."

O Come O Come Emmanuel

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

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.  

I see vivid images of men on horse back, torches flickering in the on-rushing darkness...they are the SPECTERS of the NIGHT. Children cling to their mothers, even dogs scamper away to hide...And their fathers are no where to be seen...for they are off to WAR.

INTENSITY is definitely the feeling that this music brings out in me...
"Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to the O Israel...."