Iron Rose Sister Ministries

“Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel. Shall come to thee, O Israel.”
The chorus of this traditional Christmas hymn was sung boldly by my six-year old nephew during the worship service on Sunday morning. His exuberance was matchless and his faith exemplary. The fact that he mumbled through the words to the verses did nothing to quench the Spirit-filled way in which he rejoiced in each chorus.
My soul echoed with the cry of his heart, “O Come, Emmanuel!” We rejoice in the fact that “God with us” was a foretold prophecy (Is. 7:14) and a fulfilled promise (Matt. 1:22-24). The beautiful thing is that it was not a “one and done” kind of thing.
Through the Holy Spirit, Emmanuel is celebrated daily for those who believe and have been baptized, welcoming “God with us” to be “God in us.”
Emmanuel, for me, has become an invitation and reminder to keep God at the forefront of my thoughts and actions. Also, if God is for me, who can be against me?
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Be the author of my life.
Rescue my captive soul.
Comfort and convict,
Redeem and remind.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.