Name Above All Names – The Names of God Advent Study – {Week Three}

Music is a wonderful part of the Christmas and Advent season. The first Noel, defined, literally means, “a Christmas carol” (Merriam Webster), and is synonymous with Christmas. It is in some of our favorite songs of the season where we find our next two names of God.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

According to Praisecharts.com, originally, monks in monasteries sung O Come, O Come Emmanuel during medieval days. The words of this song were considered so important that a separate stanza was assigned to each of the most pious monks, to be sung from the 16th of December to the 23rd. In the 1800’s, a standard tune was written for it and the refrain was added. Today we sing the words of this song to rejoice, as the lyrics urge us to do, over God with us. We rejoice over the birth of Emmanuel to the virgin Mary that fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

(Emmanuel or Immanuel? Check out this article from Christianity.com for more information. )

We rejoice that the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, as he learns his fiancé, Mary, is with child, conceived through the Holy Spirit, and that they would give birth to a son named Emmanuel.

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit…The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us). Matthew 1:18

We rejoice over the name Emmanuel, God with us, as we celebrate the God of the past, the present, and the future.

Rejoicing over Emmanuel in the past, present, and future:

• We rejoice over the Emmanuel of the past as we reflect upon the trials of a nation which moves from being captives to a journey of over 40 years to a land of promise. We remember Israel, God’s chosen people, a people who rejoiced in the promises of God’s advent/coming into their lives.
• We rejoice over the Emmanuel of today, as we live in times of loneliness, suffering, grief, and tragedy. We rejoice even as we journey through the brokenness of this world, because we trust in the promises of God, just like Israel did.
• We rejoice over the Emmanuel who will come to us again. We can be a people full of hope for the second coming of the promised Lamb of God. “Yes, I am coming soon.” (Revelation 22:20)

Today, O Come O Come Emmanuel remains one of the most popular carols to be sung, as a way to rejoice because we have a God with us.

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

This time of year people stop and look upon a newborn baby born in a manger and recognize Him as King of the World. We proclaim, along with the angelic host, that Christ is born and we sing “Glory to the newborn King!”

Josh Longanecker, a pastor at James River Church, shares how Hark the Herald Angels Sing, is good theology. “The first stanza describes the good news of the Savior’s birth. God has sent the One who will reconcile the sinner back to Himself. Therefore, all the nations should rise and sing and proclaim the good news, which is Christ the King! The next stanza speaks to the mysticism of Christ’s coming and the good news in it. The final stanza tells of the accomplishment of Christ and the power that it brings.”

Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled:
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem:
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King.

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb!
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel:
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings;
Mild, he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth:
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King.

In the Old Testament we hear the Israelites complain about their need for a king; they wanted to be equal to other nations who were ruled by kings. They wanted a human leader who could be recognized by other nations. God was reluctant to give Israel a king because they were looking for an earthly and not a heavenly king, they did not want to wait for God’s timing.

We too have been guilty of looking for earthly leaders to replace the heavenly King we already have. As we celebrate the coming of a heavenly King to earth, let’s never forget that we cannot replace the only one who can bring light and life to all. Let us sing Glory to the newborn King.

Put the Lyrics to Practice

The traditional Christmas carols of the Church burst forth with theological truth. Take the time to study the lyrics of your favorite hymns and challenge yourself to put into practice message of hope. Rejoice in the coming of Emmanuel, but don’t keep the message to yourself, share it with someone. Harken the message of peace which comes from a newborn King and share the good news that this King was born that man no more may die.

Had Jesus not lived, our life, in spite of all the other people whom we know, admire, and love, would be meaningless.–Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Coming Next Week.

I hope you will join me next week as we look at the names of God from Isaiah 9:6–Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Amen

Heavenly Father, we rejoice that you are Emmanuel, God with us. We sing glory to you because you came to earth as a newborn to be our King. We want to share the good news that you have come so man may die no more, give us opportunities. Because of you, our lives are not meaningless, thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For further reflection.

Check out this blog post from last year: The Wonders of His Love – 10 Bible Verses that Inspired Christmas Carols.