As we enter the Advent season, we’re invited to slow down and reflect on the profound meaning of Christmas through the lens of the hymn ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.’ This timeless song reminds us of our desperate need for God’s intervention in our lives. Just as Israel longed for their Messiah, we too cry out for Emmanuel – God with us. The imagery of being ransomed from captivity speaks to our spiritual condition without Christ. We’re reminded that we cannot earn our way to God; He must come to us. This truth is beautifully illustrated in the story of Exodus, where God’s holiness was so potent that people couldn’t even approach the mountain where His presence rested. As we contemplate this, we’re challenged to recognize our utter dependence on God’s grace and to approach this season with a renewed sense of awe at the incarnation – God becoming man to rescue us.
