Hymn Desk
Hymn Texts /

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is a hymn text by Anonymous (Latin antiphons); tr. John Mason Neale (800) in L.M. with refrain meter. Found in CW21 327, CW93 23, ELH 110, elw 257. Sung to VENI EMMANUEL.

The great Advent antiphon hymn, each stanza addressing Christ by a different messianic title from Isaiah: Emmanuel, Wisdom, Lord, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dayspring, King of nations. The accumulated weight of these titles expresses the fullness of Israel's messianic expectation fulfilled in Christ.

History & Background

Based on the O Antiphons, a series of Advent antiphons used at Vespers from December 17-23, dating to at least the 9th century. The modern hymn was assembled from these antiphons and translated into English by John Mason Neale (1818-1866) in 1851. The tune VENI EMMANUEL is adapted from a 15th century processional.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 327
  • Christian Worship — 23
  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 110
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 257
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 34
  • Lutheran Service Book — 357
  • Lutheran Worship — 31
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 60

Bulletin Note

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel — Latin antiphons, c.800; tr. Neale, 1851

Preaching Connection

The O Antiphons and Isaiah's messianic titles — rich material for Advent preaching.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From Israel's captive longing through progressive divine attributes (Wisdom, Law-giver, Liberator, Light-bringer) to universal reconciliation in the King of nations

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Advent 4

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Advent 4 (6×)
  • Advent 1 (1×)
  • Advent 3 (1×)
  • Christmas Day (1×)
  • Christmas Eve (1×)
  • St. Thomas (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Advent 4 (7×)
  • Christmas Eve (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Themes

Advent Messianic Hope Isaiah O Antiphons

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