O Come, O Come, Emmanuel……..
There could be worse ear worms. Say, for instance, ‘It’s a small world after all.'( See, I got you, didn’t I?) Ear worms. These snippets of often not fully formed song that create a traveling soundtrack for the ordinary movements of our days. Sometimes you are aware of them. Perhaps you even find yourself singing along under your breath, maybe even swaying your head to the music only heard in your head. That is, until someone gives you that funny look that pulls you back into being a fully functioning, appropriate human being. You shake your head and look the other way determined not to fall again into the the ear worm’s trap.

Over the last two days, the song heard in my head that has been traveling with me is this ancient hymn, ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’. We did sing it on Sunday, the first day of Advent, so its music actually came from ‘someplace’. But now it is stuck in my head and moves with me with each and every step. As I said, there could be worse tunes, less meaningful words to be my companion. The tune is haunting, minor in tone and gives a perfect backdrop for walking in these dark days. It is, indeed, an Advent hymn.

‘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.’ These words from the 9th century, still sung in the 21st century. This tune from the 15th century, on the lips of many who don’t know its longevity. Its message is a plea….for God to come near. For God to be in the very places where there is strife and anguish. For God to be made known even in the darkest and most frightening landscapes. For God’s Face to shine light into the corners of everything that seems so very far away from anything holy, anything sacred.

I am thankful for the musical companion. It has helped me to pray ‘O Come’ upon the people of East Africa and Israel and Palestine. It has allowed me to pray ‘O Come’ upon the people of Paris and all those who know the fullness of terrorism. It has urged me to pray ‘O Come’ over the people fleeing from Syria, over those turned away by countries also living in fear. And over those gripped in decisive fear, also ‘O Come’. It has been thrust into my mind and made me pray for both the victims and the perpetrator of violence in a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado, ‘O Come’. It has swept into my heart and prayed ‘O Come’ over the people on the north side of Minneapolis, on those who speak the truth that Black Lives Matter and all those who stand in solidarity with them and all places around our world where racism is daily bread. 

On this third day of Advent, I will nurture this tune which moves just below my breath. I will keep it going like a mantra. I will not try to erase its presence. I will allow it to become my even deeper prayer. I invite you to do the same…..

O come, Desire of nations bind….all peoples in one heart and mind. From dust thou brought us forth to life……deliver us from earthly strife…..